All bodies of water in England polluted with toxic chemicals, official data shows
Official Environment Agency data reveals that every surface water body in England has failed to meet 'good chemical status' due to persistent toxic pollutants. The report notes that full recovery is not expected until 2063, citing chemicals like mercury and PFAS as primary contributors.
Why it matters
This indicates a systemic failure in environmental regulation and poses long-term risks to public health and ecological stability.
Rubbish and debris in a partially dry section of the Rochdale canal in central Manchester last September. Rubbish and debris in a partially dry section of the Rochdale canal in central Manchester last September. Water All bodies of water in England polluted with toxic chemicals, official data shows Environment Agency assessments find just 14.3% of country’s surface waters in good ecological status
Prefer the Guardian on Google Every single English water body is polluted with toxic chemicals, new government data shows, while just 14.3% of surface waters achieved good ecological status.
Each of the country’s rivers, lakes and estuaries was assessed by the Environment Agency as part of a six-yearly evaluation of England’s water quality. The EA checked for a range of toxic chemicals, from Pfas – or “forever chemicals” – to microplastics. Waters were also checked against a range of standards covering wildlife, water quality and physical habitat.
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