Water quality

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Services

1. Check the quality of your drinking water

   Your tap water should be clear and bright - water quality advice, reporting problems, how to complain

2. Check the quality of beach and bathing water in England

   Find out how clean the water is on beaches and in other bathing areas in England, and if there is a problem with pollution

3. Application to use herbicides in or near water

   Use this form if you plan to use herbicides to control weeds in water or on the banks next to a waterbody or watercourse.

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Guidance and regulation

1. Water companies: environmental permits for storm overflows and emergency overflows
   • Guidance
   • 13 September 2018
   • Environment Agency
2. Building lined biobeds in a groundwater source protection zone 1: RPS 140
   • Guidance
   • 10 October 2018
   • Environment Agency

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News and communications

23 November 2018 — Press release

Water company to pay a record £975,000 towards environmental improvements following sewage spills on Dorset coast

Environment Agency

1. 388 top-rated beaches after scorching summer boosts visitors to seaside
   • 15 November 2018
   • Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Environment Agency
   • Press release
2. Bathing water investigation continues
   • 24 August 2018
   • Environment Agency
   • Press release

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Research and statistics

1. Recommendations to inform a UK ocean acidification monitoring strategy
   • 31 July 2018
   • Science Advisory Council
   • Research
2. Groundwater source protection zones (SPZs)
   • 2 July 2018
   • Environment Agency
   • Research
3. River water quality indicator
   • 7 September 2010
   • Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
   • National statistics

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Policy papers and consultations

1. National FCERM strategy: Strategic Environmental Assessment scoping report
   • 5 September 2018
   • Environment Agency
   • Closed consultation
   • Date closed 09 October 2018
2. The Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water (England) Regulations 2015
   • 26 July 2018
   • Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
   • Consultation outcome
   • Date closed 30 October 2015

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Organisations

1. Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs
2. Science Advisory Council

1. Environment Agency