31 Dec 2024
The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) has concluded that there have been failures to comply with environmental law by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Environment Agency (EA) and Ofwat following an investigation into the regulation of network combined sewer overflows (CSOs). The OEP has sent each of the public authorities […]
31 Dec 2024
The boss of Southern Water has apologised after parts of Southampton and Eastleigh experienced either low pressure or a loss of water supply The company blamed a technical issue at the Testwood Water Supply Works, which left customers dependent on bottled water. CEO Lawrence Gosden said that “it was the single biggest water supply incident […]
31 Dec 2024
The Drinking Water Inspectorate, part of Defra, has published the second 3-yearly report on the quality of drinking water supplies in England, covering 2020 to 2022. It summarises the quality of public supplies and the largest private supplies serving more than 5,000 consumers or 1,000 cubic metres (m3) a day. The Drinking Water Inspectorate regulates […]
31 Dec 2024
A complete ban on use of bee-killing neonicotinoid pesticides has moved a step closer after the government set out its plans to deliver a key election pledge. Despite being banned from general use in the UK, the last government authorised the use of neonicotinoids every year for the last four years in England via a […]
31 Dec 2024
According to a Watershed Investigation, bathing waters across the UK are awash with pharmaceuticals, pesticides, industrial chemicals, harmful bacteria and genes that can create superbugs resistant to antibiotics, including medicines used as a last line of defence. In collaboration with the University of York, citizen scientists and Surfers Against Sewage, hundreds of samples were taken […]
19 Dec 2024
Ofwat has approved £104 billion of investment by water companies in England and Wales over the next five years. The level of the final determinations is close to the £105 billion the industry initially requested, and far more than the £88 billion Ofwat proposed in its draft determination. Photo credit: Alaur Rahman Key […]
19 Dec 2024
The Water (Special Measures) Bill was debated in the House of Commons on Monday evening at second reading stage. There is general cross-party support for the Bill, and MPs expressed anger over pollution, investment, dividends and lots more. There was also quite a lot of criticism for Ofwat. You can read the debate here and […]
19 Dec 2024
The Environment Agency has published an update of the National assessment of flood and coastal erosion risk in England. Photo credit: Environment Agency This assessment provides a picture of current and future flood and coastal erosion risk across England. It suggests that the total number of properties in areas at risk of flooding from […]
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