Guidance

6. Reporting for 2026 to 2030 data

Published 15 October 2025

Applies to England and Wales

• Publication for Northern Ireland
• Publication for Scotland

6.1 Annual report publication

The Environment Agency publishes the Environmental Performance Assessment (EPA) on GOV.UK as part of a report, produced annually, on the environmental performance of the water and sewerage companies. Wider performance information that is not part of the EPA is also included in the report. The Environment Agency also publishes a graphic summarising the EPA and other performance facts from the annual report.

Since 2020 (2019 data) the Environment Agency has also published individual water and sewerage company data reports containing EPA data and facts. These contain current year and historic years data for each of the EPA metrics. These support the main sector published report by providing more detailed information for the public and other stakeholders. The data assists our performance reviews with the water and sewerage companies.

Natural Resources Wales also publishes annual reports on the environmental performance of Dŵr Cymru (Welsh Water) (including the EPA), and on Hafren Dyfrdwy (not using the EPA due to the small size of the company).

6.2 Non-EPA performance reporting

Wider performance information that is not part of the EPA is included as data and narrative in our annual published report. We regularly review content. For example, in our 2022 publication of 2021 data we began reporting on the total number of non-compliant reservoirs by a water and sewerage company. In our 2023 publication of 2022 data we included an update on the first cycle of drainage and waste water management plans (DWMPs). Where new performance data becomes available, such as compliance with waste management permits, we will consider additional reporting. We intend to provide details in the published report narrative on river length improved and phosphorus removed linked to Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) delivery.

6.3 Reporting on water only companies owned by water and sewerage companies

South West Water and Bournemouth Water performance data were combined as one company (South West Water) and reported in the EPA in the annual published performance reports from 1 January 2021 data onwards. From 1 April 2025 the EPA for South West Water will include performance data for the Isles of Scilly. South West Water and Bristol Water performance data will be combined as one company (South West Water) from 1 January 2026 data onwards.

For Northumbrian Water reporting, we are not including Essex and Suffolk Water data in the EPA for the 2021 to 2025 data years. We will include Essex and Suffolk Water with Northumbrian Water from 1 January 2026 data onwards. This will reduce confusion and administration reporting burden, simplify regulation and reflect Ofwat’s approach to regulate them as a single company (Northumbrian Water). When a company acquires another company there is a requirement to formally notify us.

Once a merger has been cleared by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) we would expect that the transfer of permits and licences takes place promptly so that we can start reporting performance from 1 January in the following year. We will endeavour to keep in line with Ofwat’s reporting approach.

6.4 Reporting on water only companies

We are making progress to expand our reporting for water only companies (where they are not part of a water and sewerage company). We intend to publish future annual reports.

Next: 7. Shadow EPA metrics.