Water Regulation

Water quality regulation

The Environment Agency regulates a wide range of activities and operators. One of the industries we regulate is the water industry and our activity includes permitting, compliance and enforcement. We have a key role alongside many others, including farming and wider industry to protect and improve water, now and in the future.

Over recent years, our regulation has contributed to major environmental improvements, but we face new pressures and urgent challenges in the rapidly changing world around us. Our regulation(External link) will protect and improve the environment.

Press Release 8 November: Water company inspections surge in South West(External link)





(External link)

WRMP19 Annual Review

Ofwat have published the joint letters(External link) which have been sent to nine water companies and one NAV (New Appointment and Variation) following Ofwat and the Environment Agency’s assessment of their annual reviews.

(External link)

The regulators' code

The Code(External link) is a framework for how regulators should engage with those they regulate.

(External link)

Improving our regulatory service

We are implementing a new model for regulation through our water industry regulation transformation programme (WIRTP). Read more(External link) about the changes we’re making including a significant increase to inspections.


(External link)

Regulatory activities

We publish(External link) data and reports on the performance of the businesses we regulate, including information on our regulatory activities, and the impact of changes through the business impact target(External link) assessments.

(External link)

Environmental permitting regulations (EPR)

EPR is the regulatory regime used by the Environment Agency to regulate activities that could cause harm to the environment. Check if you need an environmental permit(External link). Failure to comply with permit conditions, or operate without a permit, is an offence(External link).


(External link)

Pollution-Prevention Rules for Farmers

Download the booklet produced to help farmers to understand the environmental rules and regulations(External link) that govern how they should farm.





Thank you for visiting our new water hub. This is a pilot service. We acknowledge not everything is covered here yet, this is a new offering which will grow over the coming months.

Water quality regulation

The Environment Agency regulates a wide range of activities and operators. One of the industries we regulate is the water industry and our activity includes permitting, compliance and enforcement. We have a key role alongside many others, including farming and wider industry to protect and improve water, now and in the future.

Over recent years, our regulation has contributed to major environmental improvements, but we face new pressures and urgent challenges in the rapidly changing world around us. Our regulation(External link) will protect and improve the environment.

Press Release 8 November: Water company inspections surge in South West(External link)





(External link)

WRMP19 Annual Review

Ofwat have published the joint letters(External link) which have been sent to nine water companies and one NAV (New Appointment and Variation) following Ofwat and the Environment Agency’s assessment of their annual reviews.

(External link)

The regulators' code

The Code(External link) is a framework for how regulators should engage with those they regulate.

(External link)

Improving our regulatory service

We are implementing a new model for regulation through our water industry regulation transformation programme (WIRTP). Read more(External link) about the changes we’re making including a significant increase to inspections.


(External link)

Regulatory activities

We publish(External link) data and reports on the performance of the businesses we regulate, including information on our regulatory activities, and the impact of changes through the business impact target(External link) assessments.

(External link)

Environmental permitting regulations (EPR)

EPR is the regulatory regime used by the Environment Agency to regulate activities that could cause harm to the environment. Check if you need an environmental permit(External link). Failure to comply with permit conditions, or operate without a permit, is an offence(External link).


(External link)

Pollution-Prevention Rules for Farmers

Download the booklet produced to help farmers to understand the environmental rules and regulations(External link) that govern how they should farm.





Thank you for visiting our new water hub. This is a pilot service. We acknowledge not everything is covered here yet, this is a new offering which will grow over the coming months.

Page last updated: 18 Nov 2024, 11:54 AM