Science · 6 August 2026
Only one in seven English rivers rated healthy
The Environment Agency said on Thursday that 14.3% of England's rivers, lakes and coastal waters are in good ecological condition. That is down from 16.3% in 2019, though the agency said the fall reflects more rigorous testing rather than a true decline. Chairman Alan Lovell said too many waterways are failing standards, well short of the government's target of 77% good status by 2027.
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