5. Summary of EPA differences between the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales
Published 15 October 2025
Applies to England and Wales
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/water-and-sewerage-companies-epa-methodology-for-2026-to-2030/5-summary-of-epa-differences-between-the-environment-agency-and-natural-resources-wales
This methodology (section 2) sets out the Environmental Performance Assessment (EPA) metric definitions that we are using.
In some cases, this includes differences in approach between the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales.
Total pollution incidents affecting water
Note that incidents reported to the Environment Agency as dry day spill incidents will be recorded on the National Incident Recording System (NIRS) and be reported against this EPA metric from 1 January 2026. Natural Resources Wales will also report dry day spill figures on a yearly basis but will review the frequency and method of reporting.
Abstraction and impounding licence compliance
For the Environment Agency this metric has been a shadow metric (not published) since the start of the 2021 calendar year. Natural Resources Wales has not applied an abstraction and impounding compliance metric as a shadow or live EPA metric and does not intend to in the period 2026 to 2030.
Reporting methods
Natural Resources Wales may require water and sewerage companies to use reporting templates that reflect the differences in the regulatory frameworks for reporting in Wales. This will also apply to water and sewerage companies not based in Wales that undertake reportable activities in Wales such as application of sludge to land.