Approximately one in seven of England's rivers, lakes, and coastal waters are currently classed as being in good ecological condition. This figure represents 14.3% of the country's surface waters, a decline from the 16.3% recorded in 2019.
14.3% of surface water in good way
Percentage of England's surface waters achieving good ecological status.
While the Environment Agency reported that the number of lakes ranked as good fell by about half since 2019, it stated this largely reflects a change in assessment methods rather than a genuine decline. The agency noted that 2024 data cannot be directly compared with 2019 data due to these shifts in assessment methodologies.
The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) warned that the UK government's goal of restoring 77% of England's waters to good ecological status by 2027 will be missed by a 'considerable margin.' The OEP is currently investigating both the UK government and the Environment Agency over possible rule breaches.
Chemical pollution and regulatory challenges
No single waterway in England passed a separate test for chemical pollution.
There are currently 23 enforcement notices against water companies requiring them to lower PFAS levels to reduce human health risks. Water UK, representing water companies, has called for a ban on the use of PFAS.
The figures underline the need for wholesale change across the water sector.
— Environment Secretary Angela Eagle
Phosphate remains a significant issue for English waterways, with approximately half of rivers still exceeding safe levels. Additionally, Erica Popplewell of the campaign group River Action stated that intensive poultry units are a growing threat to rivers such as the Wye and Severn, noting, 'There's a lot of poo that comes out of the chickens.'
Industry and scientific responses
Water companies in England have £22bn earmarked for environmental improvements by 2030. Despite these funds, Alan Lovell, the chair of the Environment Agency, acknowledged that too many water bodies are 'still not achieving the standards we want to see.'
Professor Penny Johnes, a water quality scientist at the University of Bristol, stated that the current assessment scheme is 'not fit for purpose.' Greenpeace UK's head of politics, Ami McCarthy, described the scale of the water crisis as 'sobering.'
Updates
According to the Environment Agency, only 15% of England's rivers and fewer than 7% of its lakes have achieved a 'good' classification. The assessment, which covered rivers, lakes, and estuaries, involved testing for toxic chemicals such as microplastics and PFAS. Meanwhile, critics have accused the government of failing to match Europe's strictness on PFAS and failing to ban mercury in dental fillings.
The Environment Agency's assessment revealed that only 15% of England's rivers and fewer than 7% of its lakes have achieved a 'good' classification. This evaluation, which covered rivers, lakes, and estuaries, specifically checked for toxins such as microplastics and PFAS. Meanwhile, the government faces accusations of failing to match Europe's stance on PFAS and failing to ban mercury in dental fillings.
The Environment Agency's assessment of 4,658 surface water bodies reveals that only 15% of England's rivers and fewer than 7% of its lakes have achieved 'good' classification. While the agency is transforming its enforcement with its largest ever workforce, Professor Penny Johnes warns that the current scheme misses critical pollutants like nitrogen and fails to regulate emerging substances such as antibiotics and PFAS.
The Environment Agency reported that only 15% of England's rivers and fewer than 7% of its lakes meet 'good' classification standards, based on an assessment of 4,658 surface water bodies using a 'one-out, all-out' rule; the agency also identified PFAS, microplastics, and mercury as persistent pollutants, while experts like Professor Penny Johnes criticized the current monitoring for missing key contaminants like nitrogen and failing to reflect true trends, noting England’s waters are no healthier than seven years ago.
The Environment Agency's latest assessment, covering 4,658 surface water bodies including rivers, lakes, estuaries, and groundwater, revealed that only 15% of England’s rivers and fewer than 7% of its lakes achieved a 'good' classification, with pollution from PFAS, microplastics, sewage, and agricultural runoff identified as key drivers — a finding reinforced by the agency’s expanded monitoring and its largest-ever enforcement workforce, though experts like Professor Penny Johnes caution that current testing still misses critical pollutants like nitrogen and antibiotics, and fails to reflect true progress compared to previous years.
