‘Water health data shows progress is not fast enough’

The Environment Agency has today (6 August) published the latest Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) Regulations (WFDR) classifications.

The data shows that 14.3% of England's surface waters achieved good ecological status. 

Dr Jess Neumann, associate professor of hydrology at the University of Reading, provides expert comment. For interviews, contact 0118 378 5757 or pressoffice@reading.ac.uk

"The latest WFD Classifications have been long awaited. The latest results suggest that water quality in England has not suffered a dramatic national decline since 2019, however it was a pretty low baseline to begin with.

"The other way to look at this is that there has been no significant improvement in water quality since 2019 (apart from the positive examples quoted). This is concerning given increased Environment Agency enforcement, strong campaigning by local groups and charities, and substantial investment by water companies. 

"It shows that restoring the health of rivers, lakes and coastal waters remains a major national challenge and one which we are not yet making headway with. 

"Once the full local data are published, it will be important to identify where genuine water quality improvements have been made and what lessons can be applied elsewhere.

"The key question now is how the Environment Agency and Government are going to target investment across so many sites and enforce stronger action to deliver cleaner, healthier waters.

"While this report provides a comprehensive assessment, most people don't judge the health of rivers through scores provided by regulators. They judge it by whether they would let their children paddle in the water, whether fish and wildlife are thriving, and whether local rivers are places of pride rather than concern. 

“After years of public pressure, stronger enforcement and major investment via our water bills, many people will look at these figures and feel that progress is not happening fast enough. My experience of pollution in the River Mole in Surrey, where I live and work as a Trustee of the River Mole River Watch citizen science charity, shows how frustrating this can feel. There are some encouraging success stories, but they remain the exception rather than the rule."