The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has launched a new inquiry into water quality in rivers with a focus on the water industry and urban diffuse pollution.

In a case brought by the Environment Agency, a Somerset development company has been ordered to pay £15,000 in fines and costs for carrying out illegal riverbank works that could have harmed water voles and damaged their habitat.

Businesses, residents and organisations situated along five of the UK’s biggest rivers are being invlited to join the largest ever collaborative effort to prevent and reduce the amount of litter entering the UK’s waterways, and subsequently the ocean. 

The Times newspaper launched a strong attack on the water sector on Saturday with its front page entirely taken up with a warning that no river in England is safe for bathing, together with a further two pages of detailed analysis and comment. 

The latest annual report on the environmental performance of the nine water and sewerage companies (WASCs) operating mainly in England from the Environment Agency says that the majority achieved close to or exceeded targets set to improve water quality.

Thames Water is using innovative satellite technology to find forgotten rivers in London - hundreds of lost rivers could soon be rediscovered and eventually restored thanks to the ground-breaking project.

Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water has announced a further £150,000 of funding for non-profit organisations to help improve the quality of Welsh rivers, lakes and wetlands.

Government proposals which could allow the withdrawal of water abstraction licences without compensation are “extremely concerning,” the National Farmers Union (NFU) said yesterday (8 May).

The River Tyne will benefit from a significant Scottish Water investment at the Haddington waste water treatment works.