EA reveals water quality list of 'most improved rivers'

The Environment Agency (EA) has published a list of England and Wales' ten most improved rivers in terms of water quality.

Included on the list are the River Wandle in London and the River Nar in Norfolk - both of which were almost lifeless 50 years ago.

The River Thames also made it onto the list and the EA claims that Britain's waterways are in a healthier state than they have ever been for more than a generation.

Geoff Bateman, the EA's head of fisheries and biodiversity, said: "We must ensure that now we have improved them - and we still have plenty to do - that we keep them in that state for our children."

The dramatic improvements made to many of the UK's waterways came about as a result of targets set by the European Union on water quality in lakes and rivers.

According to the EA, it will be investing £18 million received from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in getting more of the country's rivers up to the new EU standard by 2015.

Recently, researchers found that otter sightings in the River Ribble have increased four-fold in recent years, a clear sign that the north-west waterway has a high water quality.

Posted by Joseph Hutton