We use some essential cookies to make this website work.
We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.
We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.
You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.
You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.
Departments, agencies and public bodies
News stories, speeches, letters and notices
Detailed guidance, regulations and rules
Reports, analysis and official statistics
Consultations and strategy
Data, Freedom of Information releases and corporate reports
When you need an environmental permit to discharge liquid effluent or waste water to surface water or the ground, and how to apply.
General binding rules for small sewage discharges from septic tanks or sewage treatment plants in England.
This guidance sets out the statutory general binding rules which will…
How to comply with your permit, including maintenance, record keeping and pollution reporting requirements.
How the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales complete the annual Environmental Performance Assessment (EPA) of water and sewerage companies in England and Wales.
When you need consent or permit to discharge from water supply assets to surface waters. How to carry out a risk assessment and how to apply.
Check open environmental data and use it in your own applications.
Approved specifications as a way of showing compliance with relevant regulations. The specifications on this page apply from 6 May 2027.
This document explains and gives guidance on issues which are likely to arise from the regulations on private sewers transfer.
Environment Agency regulatory position on the temporary discharge of water unfit for supply from water undertaker treatment and supply assets.
Assessing the discharge of sanitary and other pollutants to surface waters.
For water companies in England and Wales to use for developing their water resources management plan. Also relevant to those producing regional plans.
How to assess the performance of and scope out improvements to storm overflows under Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations requirements.
How water companies in England and Wales can comply with the statutory requirement for preparing and publishing PIRPs and Implementation Reports.
How businesses in England can manage septic tank sludges and other wastes from non-mains domestic sewage systems.
Find out the compliance limits for waste water treatment works (WWTW), and how to treat and monitor discharges to meet permit conditions.
Water companies in England and Wales can use this service to submit an incident action plan for a dry day spill to the Environment Agency.
The laboratory provides diagnostic microbiological testing for the examination of food, water and environmental samples.
The water industry is producing strategic drainage and wastewater plans to maintain, improve, and extend robust and resilient drainage and wastewater systems.
Guidance on long duration water abstraction licences.
Requirements and expectations for managing and regulating storm overflows.
Do not include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.
To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. Please fill in this survey (opens in a new tab and requires JavaScript).