Creating a better place

Regulating the environmental performance of the water industry is a core Environment Agency function. Since 2023 we have been transforming the way we regulate the water industry. Backed by significant investment we are delivering increased scrutiny and oversight through a specialised workforce dedicated to each water and sewerage company.   We recognise that further change is …

Water is essential for drinking, farming, industry, wildlife and recreation. Managing our rivers, lakes, estuaries, wetlands and groundwater properly ensures the needs of society, the economy and nature can be met over the long term.  2026 has seen the driest July in 190 years, …

Each time we publish the latest assessment of England's waters through the Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) Regulation classification, a familiar headline emerges: only a minority of rivers, lakes and estuaries achieve "good" overall status. It's a figure that invites a simple reading: that progress is “too slow”, that investment “hasn't delivered”, that the water environment is stag…

Waste crime isn't fly-tipping. It's a billion-pound criminal enterprise in which organised crime groups exploit the waste industry to launder money, evade tax, undercut legitimate businesses, and pollute communities and the environment, while presenting themselves as lawful operators.  These criminals …

In the middle of another hot, dry summer we can see our climate is changing. When we head into winter this translates into more rain, more runoff, and more pressure on slurry storage.  Getting ahead now can help protect your land, your business and the waterways your community depends on.

How we investigate illegal waste sites  Waste crime is serious crime. It harms communities, undercuts legitimate waste businesses and can damage the environment.  The Environment Agency investigates illegal waste activity in England. Our role is to assess and manage environmental risks, identify those responsible, …

Water is a precious resource that we can’t live without; from supplying drinking water and supporting fisheries, to providing an essential resource to business and agriculture, as well as a source of recreation. It is important that our rivers, lakes, …

At the Flood & Coast conference 2026, Environment Agency Chief Executive Philip Duffy spoke about climate challenges and what they mean for those working in flooding, the new approach to delivering flood defences and how we need to work together …

Following Rolls-Royce SMR’s announcement about the new Pioneer Works facility in Derby, Andy Pynn, our strategic lead for nuclear new build, reflects on a visit he made to the company’s EXPERI facility at the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research …

In July 2021, thousands of Londoners watched floodwater enter their homes, businesses and communities with little warning, turning an ordinary summer day into an unforgettable one.  Over two separate days, extreme rainfall overwhelmed parts of the capital, causing widespread flash flooding across 24 boroughs. Homes, …

Open water swimming can be an invigorating experience, but it carries real risks. Before you head out, it's worth knowing a little about how water quality is monitored in England and where that monitoring does and doesn't apply.  In this blog, we explain where you can …

We are now receiving applications for the Lowland Peat Water Implementation Grant as announced in New funding boost to protect England's iconic peatlands - GOV.UK Up to £36 million is available to install infrastructure that will allow applicants to better manage water for lowland peat areas. Follow this link for more details and how to …

I didn’t come from a regulatory or environmental background, but I’ve always had a deep-rooted passion for nature.  Growing up, I spent a lot of time gardening with my parents and grandparents, learning the value of patience, care, and respect for the natural world.  As my career progressed, I became increasingly aware of the pressures being placed on our environment and it felt …

This week marks Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) Week, a chance to shine a light on the quiet, often unseen work protecting our waters.

The Environment Agency has issued a warning letter to the River Roding Trust following an investigation into unpermitted work carried out at Alders Brook in Ilford.

Protecting fish health and supporting sustainable fisheries is a key priority for the Environment Agency. We work closely with partners and fishery managers to reduce the risk and impact of fish health incidents, including Koi herpesvirus (KHV), which affects carp and presents a risk to recreational fisheries from potential significant fish mortalities.

Flooding affects many communities across England. As climate change increases the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, new Environment Agency research shows that ensuring our approach to flood risk management is both effective and equitable has become more important than ever.

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 …