Environment Agency warns reduced funding is impacting its ability to deal with pollution incidents
The Environment Agency says that its attendance at pollution incidents is reducing as funding to deal with them has been reduced. The EA is warning that more serious pollution incidents are caused by activities it does not regulate and that “resources are needed to fund this work because one day one could be catastrophic.”
New report says sewage discharge notifications by water companies rose 87.6% in 2020/21
A new report by campaigning group Surfers Against Sewage has revealed that 5,517 sewage discharge notifications were issued by water companies over a 12-month period (01.10. 2020 to 30.09.2021) - an increase of 87.6%.
MPs to hear evidence in person today from 5 water company CEOs in Water Quality inquiry
Listen to this afternoon's House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee hearing at 14.25pm when five water company CEOs will be questioned in person in the EAC's Water Quality inquiry. Click here to watch live.
Yorkshire Water partners with Freshwater Biological Association to breed rare pearl mussels
Yorkshire Water is working with the Freshwater Biological Association (FBA) and the North York Moors National Park Authority to help release young freshwater pearl mussels to the river Esk, in order to help to further enhance biodiversity and improve the overall health of the river.
Water companies get Ofwat go ahead to invest £2.7 billion to build back greener
Ofwat, in collaboration with Defra, the Environment Agency, the Drinking Water Inspectorate, and CCW, has given the water sector the go ahead to invest £2.7 billion to deliver a broad range of proposals to offer a more resilient, greener and healthier future.
EA warns environmental performance of some water and sewerage companies in England “serious cause for concern”
The Environment Agency (EA) is warning that the environmental performance of some of the nine water and sewerage companies in England companies is giving “serious cause for concern”.
EA Chief tells MPs “we would like to see eye-watering fines for water companies” in prosecutions
Sir James Bevan, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, has told the Parliamentary Committee currently conducting an inquiry into water quality in rivers that he would like to see “eye-watering fines” for water companies.
Irish Water appoints contractor for milestone project to end discharge of raw sewage into Liscannor Bay
Irish Water has appointed a contractor to build a new wastewater treatment plant for a milestone project which will see the discharge of raw sewage from Liscannor ended.
HS2 invests £100m in filters and pumps to address environmental concerns over water resources and water quality
High Speed Two (HS2) Ltd. has agreed to fund a £100 million investment in filters and pumps for water treatment plants to address environmental concerns over water quality and water resources in the Chilterns.
Natural England downgrades environmental state of Somerset Levels and Moors SSSIs and calls for urgent action on phosphate pollution
Natural England has downgraded the environmental condition of the Somerset Levels and Moors Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) due to water quality issues - phosphates are causing algal blooms in the Somerset Levels, like Tealham SSSI.