Water

Posts about our work to improve the water environment

How the Environment Agency monitors and tests bathing water quality

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Cleaner Seas, Environment Agency, Water
Many parts of the UK's coastline are used for bathing and leisure.

As the weather is warming and more people are heading outside to enjoy beaches, rivers and lakes, we’re starting our regular monitoring of bathing waters. Between now and the end of September, millions of people will head to bathing waters …

Are we prepared for a drought? The water resilience challenge

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Climate change, Drought, Environment Agency, Water
A reservoir with low levels of water

With summer approaching and after several months of dry weather, many are wondering if the country is facing a potential drought. After an exceptionally wet 2024, this year has taken a dramatically different turn.  From floods to drought concerns There’s …

Making a difference: What is it like be an EA Environment Officer?

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Cleaner Seas, Cleaner Seas, Regulated industry, Rivers, Water, Water Monitoring
EA Environment Officer standing on a beach with equipment for testing for black algae.

Christopher Clayton joined the Environment Agency in January 2025 as an Environment Officer with one of the newly formed Water Industry Regulation teams in Lincolnshire. He shares an insight into his role and the reasons why he is so passionate …

What are the 2024 Storm Overflow EDM Annual Returns?

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Cleaner Seas, EDM, Environment Agency, Rivers, storm overflows, Water
Environment Agency logo

Today, we published water company Event Duration Monitoring (EDM) Annual Return data for 2024, which can also be viewed on a map via the Storm Overflow portal, showing the frequency and duration of spills from storm overflows in England. EDM tracks …

4000 inspections and counting: How we’re driving water industry performance

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Climate change, Environment Agency, Regulated industry, Rivers, Water, Water Monitoring

In 2023 we announced significant changes to the way we regulate so that we can better address the underperforming water industry. At the heart of our plan was a significant increase in both our workforce and the number of inspections …

Kielder a ‘beacon of hope’ in work to save pearl mussel

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Fisheries and biodiversity, Nature, Water
Image shows a wild juvenile freshwater pearl mussel lying on someone’s hand.

The critically endangered freshwater pearl mussel populations have declined drastically worldwide over recent decades. But conservation work at Kielder Salmon Centre in Northumberland is aiming to reverse that trend through a captive breeding programme and by working with partners to create healthier rivers.

Update on Environment Agency investigation

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Environment Agency, Regulated industry, Water
Grasses by a water body

Work continues on our largest ever criminal investigation, to date, into potential breaches of environmental permit conditions by all water and sewerage companies discharging into English waters.   The extent of potential non-compliance involves more than 2,200 wastewater treatment works. To …

Take part in a consultation on guidance used by the water companies when they draft their new drought plans

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Regulated industry, Water
Picture of Haweswater with an additional photo showing drought conditions in 1995

Our changing climate means we could see more frequent and severe weather events, including droughts, in the coming years. We cannot predict when, or how severe, the next drought will be, but we can ensure we learn from previous drought …

Big data, tiny microbes: environmental DNA in action

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Environment Agency, Fisheries and biodiversity, Invasive species, Nature, Rivers, Water
Picture of a white clawed crayfish on a rock.

All living things, from bacteria to blue whales, have DNA in their cells. DNA provides the blueprint for life, directing how organisms grow, reproduce, and live. Since DNA gives a unique genetic code for every species on Earth, we can …