Poor health scores for rivers mask biodiversity improvements, experts tell Defra
The system for assessing the health of England’s rivers states just 14% are in good ecological health but an independent report for Defra says this masks improvements in freshwater biodiversity – and has proposed an alternative monitoring standard.
OEP calls on Government to take urgent action on meeting environmental targets
The Office for Environmental Protection has called on the Government to take urgent action on progressing the environmental targets set out in the 25-year Environmental Improvement Plan and statutory targets set for the environment.
Natural Resources Wales releases new water quality data on health of Wales’s waters
New water quality data published by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) on phosphorus levels in Welsh Special Area of Conservation (SAC) rivers shows small improvements, while interim water quality classifications for Welsh rivers hold steady.
Planning Inspectorate publishes advice on Water Framework Directive for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects applications
The Planning Inspectorate has published advice on summarising the requirements of The Water Environment Regulations 2017 (WFD Regulations) in relation to Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) applications.
Office for Environmental Protection calls on DAERA to implement overdue plan to improve water quality in Northern Ireland
The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) is calling for a critical plan designed to protect and improve Northern Ireland’s waters needs to be strengthened and implemented without further delay, in a new report released today.
Highly critical OEP report - ‘deeply concerning’ issues with how laws to protect England’s rivers, lakes and coastal waters are being implemented
Deeply concerning’ failures to properly implement regulations designed to protect rivers, lakes and coastal waters in England mean key targets for improvement will be missed, a 180 page detailed and highly critical report by the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) has found.
Rivers Trust – new report warns “our rivers are in a desperate state of affairs”
The Rivers Trust has published its State of Our Rivers 2024 Report – and the NGO is warning that “our rivers are in a desperate state of affairs” and “things haven’t improved" since its last report in 2021.
Thames Water - new report shows East London river gets “good to excellent” water quality WFD ranking
A new report has found that Channelsea River and River Lea in East London have ‘good to excellent’ water quality in accordance with Water Framework Directive classifications.
Toxic cocktails of chemical pollution found at over 1,600 river and groundwater sites across England
New analysis conducted by the Wildlife and Countryside Link and The Rivers Trustof official Environment Agency data has revealed the worrying scale of chemical cocktail pollution in rivers and other freshwater sites across England.
Environment Agency launches 2nd consultation on water discharge proposal change at Hinkley Point C nuclear power station
The Environment Agency has launched a second 4-week consultation on a proposed change to discharge water at Hinkley Point C nuclear power station near Bridgwater.