On 15 October 2026, Severe drought status was declared for parts of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex and West Sussex after the driest April to September in over a century depleted local reservoir levels - with further dry weather expected for the rest of October.
Waste crime is serious crime - blighting local communities, harming the environment and undermining legitimate businesses. In May, we have published a national watchlist of high priority waste sites in England, as part of the Environment Agency’s enhanced response to tackle the issue. …
We have commissioned the British Geological Survey to undertake a new survey of the Fell Sandstone Formation and surrounding strata to help us undertake our regulatory role in protecting groundwater underlying Berwick and the surrounding area.
This research is another important contribution to our understanding of Windermere, giving us and our partners greater insight to inform decisions about managing nutrient pollution as the climate changes. The modelling approach can also be applied to other lakes facing similar pressures, helping identify which interventions will work best and where.
The LER programme is currently being tested across a small number of projects to learn what works, identify where improvements are needed and inform any longer-term implementation. This blog sets out what the Lead Environmental Regulator approach involves, introduces each EA-led pilot currently underway, and shares early reflections on what we are learning.
Recent, entirely misleading coverage by Channel 4 claims that the Environment Agency has prioritised the use of enforcement undertakings, rather than criminal prosecutions, against water companies for serious pollution incidents. We completely reject this characterisation. Enforcement undertakings represent one of …
From 28 April 2026, permitted operators receiving waste onto their site are encouraged to start using the new digital service to record receipt of waste. This marks the start of a phased transition for everyone involved in the handling of waste to record waste movements digitally.
Thirty years ago, the Environment Agency first opened its doors. It had a clear dual purpose: to protect the environment and support sustainable development.
When you think about net zero, what comes to mind? Sunlight reflecting off solar panels? Turbines spinning in strong coastal winds?
When I stepped into my new role with the Environment Agency’s Water Industry Regulation team, covering Kidderminster and Tewkesbury, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. Six months on, I can confidently say that this has been one of the most rewarding and eye-opening periods of my career so far.
The modern way to find many of the services, trades and products we need to buy is to look online. It’s quick, easy and you can do it from the comfort of your own home. But it is a minefield …
