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Research and analysis

Goal 3: Water (network)

Updated 1 December 2025
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Primary goal From Indicator To Indicator Correlation Rationale
Water B1 Pollution loads entering waters B3 State of the water environment Negative Substances more often found in rivers at levels exceeding their environmental quality standard in water include metals such as cadmium, lead, nickel and zinc.
Water B1 Pollution loads entering waters B4 Condition of bathing waters Negative B1 tracks changes in the inputs and discharges of selected contaminants such as nutrients and some toxic chemicals to rivers or directly to the sea, for example through sewage pipelines.
Water B1 Pollution loads entering waters B7 Health of freshwaters assessed through fish stocks Negative Water quality issues were the cause of 38% of all fish test failures.
Water B1 Pollution loads entering waters D1 Quantity, quality and connectivity of habitats Negative B1 records the discharge/emission of contaminants that adversely affect the quality and uses of receiving waters. These affect the wildlife and ecology of rivers, estuaries and coastal waters.
Water B1 Pollution loads entering waters D4 Relative abundance and distribution of widespread species Negative B1 records the discharge/emission of contaminants that adversely affect the quality and uses of receiving waters. These affect the wildlife and ecology of rivers, estuaries and coastal waters.
Water B1 Pollution loads entering waters D5 Conservation status of our native species Negative B1 records the discharge/emission of contaminants that adversely affect the quality and uses of receiving waters. These affect the wildlife and ecology of rivers, estuaries and coastal waters.
Water B1 Pollution loads entering waters D6 Abundance and distribution of priority species in England Negative B1 records the discharge/emission of contaminants that adversely affect the quality and uses of receiving waters. These affect the wildlife and ecology of rivers, estuaries and coastal waters.
Water B1 Pollution loads entering waters H4 Exposure and adverse effects of chemicals on wildlife in the environment Positive B1 includes emissions of mercury, H4 monitors exposure to mercury.
Water B2 Serious pollution incidents to water B3 State of the water environment Negative B2 shows changes in the number of pollution incidents impacting on water health, including in rivers, lakes, reservoirs, canals, coasts, estuaries and groundwater.
Water B2 Serious pollution incidents to water B4 Condition of bathing waters Negative The 2 higher categories of serious pollution event cause, for example, potential harm to bathers.
Water B2 Serious pollution incidents to water B5 Water bodies achieving sustainable abstraction criteria Negative The 2 higher categories of serious pollution event cause, for example, the temporary cessation of abstraction from a river by a drinking water provider.
Water B2 Serious pollution incidents to water B7 Health of freshwaters assessed through fish stocks Negative The 2 higher categories of serious pollution event cause, for example, death of fish.
Water B2 Serious pollution incidents to water D4 Relative abundance and distribution of widespread species Negative The 2 higher categories of serious pollution event cause, for example, death of fish.
Water B2 Serious pollution incidents to water D5 Conservation status of our native species Negative The 2 higher categories of serious pollution event cause, for example, death of fish.
Water B2 Serious pollution incidents to water D6 Abundance and distribution of priority species in England Negative The 2 higher categories of serious pollution event cause, for example, death of fish.
Water B2 Serious pollution incidents to water G7 Health and wellbeing benefits Negative The 2 higher categories of serious pollution event cause, for example, potential harm to bathers.
Water B2 Serious pollution incidents to water H4 Exposure and adverse effects of chemicals on wildlife in the environment Positive Pollution incidents could involve the release of pollutants monitored through H4 for example, mercury.
Water B3 State of the water environment D5 Conservation status of our native species Positive B3 status assessments are based on indicators for specific species groups for example, plants and algae, invertebrates.
Water B3 State of the water environment D6 Abundance and distribution of priority species in England Positive B3 status assessments are based on indicators for specific species groups for example, plants and algae, invertebrates.
Water B4 Condition of bathing waters G7 Health and wellbeing benefits Positive Status of bathing waters is based on a set of microbiological tests (measuring E.coli and intestinal enterococci) performed on waters used for bathing. The bacteria, if present, can cause severe stomach upsets and gastro-intestinal illness.
Water B5 Water bodies achieving sustainable abstraction criteria B3 State of the water environment Positive Drinking water protected area status feeds into the B3 results.
Water B5 Water bodies achieving sustainable abstraction criteria B6 Natural functions of water and wetland ecosystems Positive River flows and groundwater levels are considered sustainable when they support ecology that is only slightly impacted by human activity.
Water B6 Natural functions of water and wetland ecosystems D1 Quantity, quality and connectivity of habitats Positive Indicator B6 is closely linked with indicator D1 on the extent, quality and connectivity of habitats as the naturalness of ecosystem function is also being considered within D1.
Water B6 Natural functions of water and wetland ecosystems F1 Disruption or unwanted impacts from flooding or coastal erosion Negative Restoring natural functions to wetland ecosystems contributes to enhancing ecosystem services such as the provision of clean water and flood regulation.
Water A6 Exceedance of damaging levels of nutrient nitrogen deposition on ecosystems B3 State of the water environment Negative Nutrients are a major cause of water bodies being at less than good ecological status and also affect drinking water quality. Nitrates account for 65% of the reasons for failure for those groundwaters that are protected for use for drinking water and are classed at poor status. Nitrate enters groundwater from diffuse pollution on land. (mainly water run-off from agricultural land) or is deposited onto land from the air.
Water C4 Diverse seas: condition of seafloor habitats B3 State of the water environment Positive B3a assesses coastal waters and estuaries based on a saltmarsh indicator, C4c assesses the status of saltmarsh habitats.
Water D5 Conservation status of our native species B3 State of the water environment Positive B3 status assessments are based on indicators for specific species groups for example, plants and algae, invertebrates.
Water D6 Abundance and distribution of priority species in England B3 State of the water environment Positive B3 status assessments are based on indicators for specific species groups for example, plants and algae, invertebrates.
Water E3 Volume of inputs used in agricultural production B1 Pollution loads entering waters Positive B1 tracks changes in the inputs and discharges of selected contaminants such as nutrients and some toxic chemicals to rivers or directly to the sea, for example through activities such as agriculture inputting substances directly.
Water E3 Volume of inputs used in agricultural production B2 Serious pollution incidents to water Positive Agriculture is now the largest sector responsible for significant pollution events to water.
Water E3 Volume of inputs used in agricultural production B3 State of the water environment Negative Agriculture and rural land management is one of the main activities that prevent water bodies reaching good status.
Water E3 Volume of inputs used in agricultural production B6 Natural functions of water and wetland ecosystems Negative Nutrient run off affects the natural functions of wetland ecosystems, for example, through eutrophication.
Water E8 Sustainable use of water B5 Water bodies achieving sustainable abstraction criteria Positive Reducing water consumption and leakage will help in achieving sustainable extraction.
Water H3 Emissions of mercury and persistent organic pollutants to the environment B1 Pollution loads entering waters Positive B1 includes levels of mercury.
Water J6 Waste crime B1 Pollution loads entering waters Positive If not handled properly, waste can cause serious pollution of the environment – air, land and water.
Water J6 Waste crime B2 Serious pollution incidents to water Positive If not handled properly, waste can cause serious pollution of the environment – air, land and water.