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<p>The last Water Framework Directive (WFD) full water body classification results
in 2019 showed 16% of all surface water bodies (14% for river water bodies), in England
achieved good ecological status (GES) (or good ecological potential for artificial
and heavily modified water bodies), and 64% of surface water bodies achieved moderate
ecological status (or potential).</p><p> </p><p>The next full results will be published
by the Environment Agency (EA) in 2025. The headline reporting for WFD creates a simplified
picture and is just one way of understanding the water environment. For example, the
last classification results for England showed the 79% of elements the EA test for
GES were classed at Good.</p><p> </p><p>Most water bodies failing to reach GES are
subject to multiple pressures. The top three pressures are physical modification of
water bodies, diffuse agricultural pollution and waste water management. More detailed
information on water body reasons for not achieving good are publicly available on
the EA’s Catchment Data Explorer.</p><p> </p><p>The EA has developed a Prioritisation
and Early Warning System (PEWS) for chemicals of emerging concern to assess their
presence and quantities in our rivers. This allows the Agency to prioritise suitable
management. Additionally, EA has developed a list of priority chemicals of concern
which are regularly monitored alongside appropriate measures to protect aquatic wildlife
and human health.</p><p> </p><p>The government is committed to achieving the goals
of the Environment Improvement Plan to bring 75% of our water to as close to its natural
state as soon as practicable. Our Plan for Water, published last year will go further
and faster towards that goal and deliver a safe, reliable, resilient supply of clean
and plentiful water underpinned by increased investment in infrastructure, increased
regulation and stronger enforcement.</p>
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