Coverage on storm overflows and protected sites
Defra’s response to coverage of Greenpeace Unearthed findings about storm overflows and protected sites.
Defra’s response to reports on Thames Water
Today’s blog outlines widespread coverage on Thames Water
Water UK’s national apology from sewage and water companies
Defra and Environment Agency reaction following a national apology from Water UK, on behalf of water and sewage companies, for not acting quickly enough on sewage spills.
Coverage on Ofwat’s £11 million funding announcement
Today, we are looking at coverage following Ofwat’s announcement that their funding capacity will be bolstered by £11 million in additional funding from HMT.
Storm overflow discharges in the media
This government wants clean and safe rivers, lakes and seas, and we have been clear that we will hold water companies to account if they do not comply with our environmental regulations.
Water companies face new civil penalties up to £250million
There has been widespread media coverage of the Environment Secretary’s announcement that he will bring forward proposals to raise the civil penalty for water companies who pollute the environment by 1,000-fold - from £250,000 to up to £250 million.
Government action against sewage discharges from storm overflows
Untreated sewage can be devastating to human health, local biodiversity and our environment. Water companies must take urgent action to address sewage discharges. That’s why we are already taking action.
Minister Double: Water companies must do more to reduce leakage
There has been positive pick-up of Water Minister Steve Double’s calls for greater investment from water companies to address leakage, at a time when water resources are in the spotlight as parts of the country move into drought. Writing for …
Environment Agency acts on recent dry weather
Yesterday (26 July 2022), the Environment Agency convened the National Drought Group to discuss the recent period of hot and dry weather and agree actions to protect water resources and the environment in England in the weeks ahead.
Inaccurate coverage on the Farming Rules for Water
A recent article in the Guardian (20 June) wrongly claims that the Defra Guidance to the Farming Rules for Water would have allowed farmers to spread manures and slurry on land in a way that would overload it with nutrients …