Creating a better place

Waste crime is a serious crime - blighting local communities, harming the environment and undermining legitimate businesses.   For the first time, we have published a national watchlist of waste sites in England, as part of the Environment Agency’s enhanced response to tackle the …

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.

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. Back then, climate change was a distant warning rather than the pressing reality it is today. Public expectations on pollution were quieter. Technological progress and our ability to leverage data was slower. Our understanding of environment…

When you think about net zero, what comes to mind? Sunlight reflecting off solar panels? Turbines spinning in strong coastal winds? We’re used to looking up and out to imagine a low-carbon future. But one of the most powerful tools for reaching net zero isn’t in the sky or the sea – it’s beneath our feet. The subsurface is vast, secure, and uniquely suited to underpin the technologies that will d…

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 …

As regulators of the nuclear industry, the Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) are working together to make sure that any new nuclear power stations built in the UK meet high standards of safety, security, environmental protection and waste management.

Protecting the environment in an interconnected world means looking beyond our own borders. Air pollution, climate change, emerging chemicals, radioactive substances and waste crime all present challenges that require shared expertise and harmonised regulatory action across countries. That's why the Environment Agency plays an active and increasing international role - sharing knowledge, learning…

Flooding is one of the most devastating experiences a community can face. The loss of a home, a business, or simply the sense of safety and security in the place you live leaves a mark that lasts long after the water has receded.

When people ask me what I do for a living, I tell them that I help the Environment Agency fight waste crime. I work in a team of waste crime engagement specialists covering the whole of England and our role …

Tucked away in the beautiful Breamish Valley, south of Wooler in Northumberland, one of the UK's most ambitious river restoration projects has recently reached completion - and the results are already remarkable. The River Breamish at Harehope Estate is flowing …

We’re delighted to announce the launch of a new digital tool that lets you report on the health of your local rivers, lakes and beaches in real-time, directly from your phone.  BluePrint, developed by the Environment Agency in partnership with Hello Lamp Post, builds on the success of WaterWatch - a year-long pilot that gathered public observations at five bathing water sites. Now, the concept is…

The Environment Agency announced it has assembled its largest ever workforce for tackling water pollution - expanding it by almost fivefold from 41 roles in 2023 to 184 in 2026, with a further increase planned in 2027.

At the Environment Agency, nature is key to what we do. It’s our job to protect and enhance the environment, enabling nature’s recovery whilst contributing to sustainable growth, with an ambition for climate resilience and healthy air, land and water. We can't do this alone - partnership is at the heart of how we work.

From seaside towns to quiet rural stretches, England’s coastline is one of the country’s most valued assets. It is home to thriving communities, beautiful landscapes and vital infrastructure that we all rely on. But the coast is also one of the places where the impacts of climate change are being felt most clearly. Coastlines naturally change over time, but rising sea levels and more frequent sto…

By Dr Robert Bradburne, Environment Agency Chief Scientist Friday 12 December marked a significant moment for all of us who care about England’s rivers and streams. Today, we’re releasing our first set of analysis-ready water data under Defra’s Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (NCEA) programme and I’m immensely proud of the work of hundreds of committed Environment Agency Staff that has g…

Following the 2025 DEFRA bathing water classifications, we are sharing an update on storm overflow performance associated with bathing waters across England for the 2025 season (15 May to 30 September). This year has seen an overall improvement: both the frequency and duration of storm overflow events has reduced. Storm Overflow Performance The data for 2025 shows: · Average spills per overflow: …

This week we published the 2025 Bathing Water Classifications here: 87% of bathing waters rated ‘Excellent’ or ‘Good’ as new reforms come into law - GOV.UK. From the results it's evident that England’s coastal bathing waters tell a strong story of what long-term regulation, sustained investment and effective partnership working can achieve. Decades of targeted partnership action by the Environmen…