Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has reported a rise in water-related incidents and a 91% increase in water discharge compliance assessments in its newly-released Annual Regulatory Report for 2024.

Published annually, the Regulatory Report covers incident response, permitting and licensing, compliance, crime and NRW’s enforcement and sanctioning actions. The report also highlights NRW’s work across sectors including biodiversity, fisheries, forestry, flood risk, and marine regulation.

The 2024 report shows a year of intensified regulatory activity, with a sharp rise in incident reporting, compliance checks and enforcement action. NRW says the data reflects both the scale of the challenges presented by the climate, nature and pollution emergencies, and NRW’s commitment to dealing with incidents that pose the greatest risk to our environment.

Image credit Natural Resources Wales

The main findings of the report covering the 2024 calendar year:

• NRW received 12,922 incident reports in 2024 - a 46% increase on 2023
• 976 incidents were assessed as ‘high level’ requiring an immediate response - NRW responded to 95% of high-level incidents within four hours
• Waste and water-related incidents accounted for 80% (8,288) of all in-remit reports in 2024
• Enforcement action was taken against 619 companies and 636 individuals, including 80 prosecution cases that covered 112 offences
• NRW delivered 3,769 compliance assessments

Water resources and water quality - 2024 in numbers

Over the past year, the report says NRW has seen a rise in water-related incidents. The environmental regulator increased water discharge compliance assessments, by 91%, almost double the number of assessments conducted last year.

• 35% of all incidents related to water
• 3,600 water related incidents
• 1,153 water related incidents attended by NRW
• 1,243 water discharge compliance assessments conducted, a 91% increase from 2023
• 190 water resource compliance assessments conducted, 92% increase from 2023
• 228 enforcement cases related to water
• 505 enforcement breaches related to water
• NRW conducted 650 Water Resources Control of Agricultural Pollution Regulation (CoAPR) inspections

Flood, reservoirs and marine – 2024 in numbers

NRW’s responsibilities also cover managing flood risks, ensuring reservoir safety and protecting marine environments. Key numbers for 2024 include:

• 260 incidents related to flood
• 205 active flood permits in 2024
• 59 compliance checks completed for flood risk permits
• 54 enforcement breaches related to flood
• 95% of checks completed were compliant with permit requirements
• 42 closed enforcement cases related to flood
• 178 marine licences issued
• 405 large raised reservoirs under regulation in 2024

Increase in incidents and regulatory activity reflects growing pressures on environment

Becky Favager, Head of Regulation and Permitting at NRW, commented:

“We continue to strengthen our regulation by increasing our compliance monitoring - including undertaking more site visits and audits. The increase in incidents and regulatory activity reflects the growing pressures on our environment, but also the dedication of our teams to protect people and nature.

“We have also been actively seeking additional powers to consider civil sanctions for a broader range of environmental offences, as an additional tool in our enforcement toolkit.

“As we face the impacts of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss, we will continue to adapt our approaches, focus our efforts where they matter most, working with partners and communities to deliver lasting improvements.”

Click here to read the full Natural Resources Wales Regulation Report 2024