Polluting water bosses face up to two years in prison
Water company bosses could face up to two years in prison due to new powers in force today, Friday 25 April 2025.
The new powers,...
Regulators have failed to deliver a trusted and resilient water sector, says the National Audit Office
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and water regulators have failed to drive necessary investment for the sector in the past...
Second reading of the Chalk Steams (Protection) Bill to take place in Parliament this week
The second reading of the Chalk Streams (Protection) Bill, which will give chalk streams an enhanced status to protect them from pollution and environmental...
Environment Secretary Steve Reed announces major reforms to environmental regulation
Major reforms to environmental regulation have been announced by Environment Secretary Steve Reed, which he says will create a more dynamic, streamlined approach to help...
OEP welcomes decision in Pickering Fishery Association case on water quality laws
The Office for Environmental Protection says it welcomes yesterday's (Wednesday, 2 April) Court of Appeal decision on the correct interpretation of the law to...
Environment Secretary describes the number of spills from storm overflows as “disgraceful” after new figures released
The Environment Secretary has described the number of spills from storm overflows as “disgraceful” as new figures were released by the Environment Agency yesterday...
Tony Juniper CBE reappointed as Chair of Natural England for a third term
The Environment Secretary, Steve Reed, confirmed on Monday 24th March that Tony Juniper CBE has been reappointed as Chair of Natural England for a...
OEP launches investigation into possible failures by Defra and the Environment Agency to comply with key laws to protect and improve water quality
The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) has launched an investigation into possible failures by Defra and the Environment Agency to comply with the Water...
River Thames Lock Keepers set for strike vote over safety fears, GMB warns Government
River Thames weir and lock keepers are set to ballot for industrial action over safety concerns, GMB has warned the Government.
In a letter...
Minister for Water and Flooding, Emma Hardy, visits North Cave Wetlands to see how nature-based solutions help flooding
The North Cave Wetlands nature reserve was the final location on the nationwide ‘Things Can Only Get Cleaner’ water tour by Defra Ministers.
Minister for...
Aardman film spotlights groundwater flooding in new national initiative
Aardman, the multi-award-winning studio behind the beloved Wallace & Gromit franchise, has partnered with a national initiative to highlight the devastating impact of groundwater...
Environment Secretary Steve Reed visits Cambridge to discuss the region’s urgent water needs
Environment Secretary Steve Reed met with key stakeholders in Cambridge to discuss the region’s urgent water needs.
Without urgent investment in water infrastructure and demand...
Residents across the North East of England to benefit from investment in “smart sewers” that reduce sewage spills
Residents across the North East of England are benefiting from investment in “smart sewers” that use cutting-edge technology to reduce sewage spills and clean...
UK and Welsh Government unite in £1m fund to transform River Wye
The Welsh and UK Government have announced a new £1 million joint research initiative to tackle water quality issues in the River Wye.
The Welsh...
Water Minister Emma Hardy visits the £35 million expansion of the Saltford Water Recycling Plant which will support economic and residential growth in Bath
Communities in Bath are set to benefit from new jobs, economic growth, and improved water quality on the River Avon with the expansion of...
Environment Secretary Steve Reed to set out government ambition to end sewage discharged into Windermere
Environment Secretary Steve Reed has pledged to ‘clean up Windermere’ setting out the Government’s support for the long-term ambition of ‘only rainwater’ entering England’s...
Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 receives Royal Assent, boosting the powers of water sector regulators
The Water (Special Measures) Act 2025, first introduced into Parliament on 4 September 2024, received Royal Assent yesterday from King Charles III.
Royal Assent is...
Government says it welcomes the Office for Environmental Protection’s review of the implementation of current Bathing Water Regulations in England
The Government has said it welcomes the Office for Environmental Protection’s (OEP) review of the implementation of the current Bathing Water Regulations in England....
Environmental Audit Committee questions whether the Government’s £2.65 billion investment in flood defences is being prioritised to the right projects
In a session focusing on infrastructure resilience, planning rules and the risk to farmers from floods, the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) will continue gathering...
Record £2.65 billion to be committed to build or maintain up to 1,000 flood defences
The government has unveiled a record package to build new flood defences and maintain and repair those already in place.
As part of the Plan...
Environment Agency secures record commitments from water sector of over £22bn to invest in the environment
The Environment Agency, working closely with Natural England, has secured the largest ever commitment from water companies to clean up the environment and invest...
In response to Thames Water, Steve Reed tells EFRA Committee it’s not for Government to tell a private company how to manage their finances
The EFRA Committee has published two pieces of correspondence between the Committee and the Defra Secretary, Steve Reed.
One is a letter from the Committee...
OEP launches investigation into a suspected failure by Defra to take the necessary measures to achieve Good Environmental Status (GES) of marine waters
The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) has launched an investigation into Defra in relation to a suspected failure to take the necessary measures to...
Water companies to be forced to double compensation for failures
The Government has confirmed that water customers around the country will benefit from significantly higher payments to compensate them for water company service failures.
Following public...
Environment Agency publishes major update to national flood and coastal erosion risk assessment
The Environment Agency has published new data showing 6.3 million properties across England are based in areas at risk of flooding from one or...
Storm Bert exposes urgent need for flood resilience and coastal adaptation, says CIWEM
More heavy rain is set to fall in southern England and south Wales this week, adding to the chaos caused by Storm Bert, which...
Environment Secretary holds meeting with Environment Agency to bolster Storm Bert response
Secretary of State Steve Reed has held a meeting with Environment Agency Chief Executive Philip Duffy to discuss the response to the flooding and...
Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee to hear from DEFRA Minister
The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee will hear from The Rt Hon Steve Reed MP, Secretary of State, Department for Environment,...
Storm Bert causes significant river and surface water flooding in parts of England
Storm Bert has caused significant river and surface water flooding in parts of England over the weekend, especially in the South West, the West...
Ofwat to appear before MPs for questioning on water companies’ finances, customer bills and regulation of the industry
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (EFRA) is due to hold an evidence session to scrutinise the work of Ofwat, questioning its Chief...
Defra Secretary to face MPs in first session of new EFRA Committee
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Rt Hon Steve Reed MP, will make his first appearance before the EFRA...
OEP launches investigation into lawfulness of government guidance on water pollution from agriculture
The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) has launched an investigation into the government’s Statutory Guidance on applying the Farming Rules for Water (FRfW).
These regulations...
Water Commission chair Sir John Cunliffe meets with water groups
Water Commission chair Sir John Cunliffe is now meeting with representatives from the environmental, consumer and industry sectors as a part of his investigation...
Updating Bathing Water Regulations could better protect the public, says OEP
The regulations in place to protect people swimming in rivers, lakes and coastal waters in England could better protect the public if they were...
Government to announce reforms to flood funding and investment to protect farming communities
The government is bolstering England’s resilience to flooding through additional financial support to farmers and rural communities, as well as refreshing its approach to...
Bathing water reforms to consider water sports and water quality as Defra invites views on modernising bathing water regulations
In a consultation launched this week, Defra and the Welsh Government are inviting the public, community groups, environmental groups, farmers, businesses and local authorities to...
UK takes leading role at UN Biodiversity COP16 conference announcing ambitious international package to protect and restore nature across the world
The UK has taken a leading role at the UN Biodiversity COP16 conference announcing an ambitious international package to protect and restore nature across...
Governments launch largest review of the water sector since privatisation
An Independent Commission into the water sector and its regulation has been launched by the government in what is expected to form the largest...
Ruth Davis has been appointed the first UK’s Special Representative for Nature
The UK government has appointed Ruth Davis OBE as the first Special Representative for Nature. This landmark announcement is being is made as the...
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