Water quality 'improving in England and Wales'

Water quality at bathing sites across England and Wales has improved significantly over the last two decades, according to the Environment Agency (EA).

Chris Tuckett, who leads the organisation's efforts in this area, said there has a been a dramatic rise in standards over the 20-year-period, with almost all (98 per cent) bathing waters passing mandatory EU water quality checks last year.

And he insisted that the EA is striving to make even further progress.

"New standards that come into force in 2015 will set even more ambitious targets and we are using the latest technology available to help meet these goals," he remarked.

In addition to using the latest technology to determine the causes of pollution and fix the issue, the EA is also working with local communities, believing that "everyone has a part to play" in solving the problem.

The body recently prosecuted water company United Utilities after investigating an incident of river pollution.

Posted by Lauren Steadman