Search results

The UK has over 600 designated bathing waters, put in place under the EU Bathing Waters Directive. While people may swim in many locations, designated bathing waters are regularly tested throughout the bathing water season each year.

Wide, shallow and crystal clear, chalk streams are rivers almost unique to England. They rise from springs, flow through chalk and their mineral-rich water is a haven for aquatic plants, insects and species including otters, kingfishers and water voles. 

For much of the past 100 years our rivers have been in a state of crisis. Until the 1990s sewage and other pollutants caused the numbers of invertebrates, fish and mammals to plummet. In recent decades water quality has greatly improved but the water industry and other sectors still face considerable challenges to ensure the health of our rivers meets the expectations of 21st century users.

In November 2020, water companies unveiled a ground-breaking plan to deliver a net zero water supply for customers by 2030 in the world’s first sector-wide commitment of its kind. 

We welcome moves to improve the audit and inspection regime of the water sector that will be funded by the rises in costs outlined in this consultation, and strongly support the Environment Agency (EA) having the resources it needs to underpin its vital regulatory work.

During the summer of 2021, the Environment Agency worked in collaboration with Water UK and Ofwat to look at Risk Management Authority contributions towards the production of DWMPs.

Several examples of best practice were identified and these have been brought together in the DWMP engagement case studies summary.