New report urges Government to stop pollution at source, fix the broken water system, and restore nature to England’s rivers, lakes and seas in next generation water reforms.
A major coalition of environmental organisations, including People’s Trust for Endangered Species, Wildlife & Countryside Link, and nearly 40 others, today launches Clean Water Now, a new report setting out the urgent reforms needed in the upcoming Water Reform Bill.
Currently, sewage, farming pollution, and chemicals pollute rivers, lakes, and seas, with just 14% of English rivers in good ecological condition. Habitats are shrinking, wildlife is suffering, and people are getting sick. If Government doesn’t act now, this once-in-a-generation opportunity to change the rules could slip away, leaving England’s waters in decline for years.
The launch of the report marks the start of a new public campaign demanding ambitious action from Government, regulators, and industry. As a first step, campaigners are urging the public to email their MPs, calling them to back strong, enforceable measures to deliver clean water.
The report sets out three core demands for the Water Reform Bill:
- Stop the polluters − clamp down on sewage, restrict intensive agriculture and ban toxic chemical pollution.
- Fix the broken system − stop water companies putting profit before people and nature, with a tough new regulator focused on nature and local communities involved.
- Restore nature − creating new natural habitats along rivers and coastlines, building natural resilience to climate change and bringing wildlife to communities around the country.
Richard Benwell, Chief Executive of Wildlife and Countryside Link, said: “For too long, weak regulation and political delay have allowed sewage, chemicals and agricultural pollution to pour into our rivers while wildlife declines and public trust drains away. The Water Reform Bill must fix the system at its roots, stop pollution at source and deliver real nature recovery – anything less would be a betrayal of people and the environment.”
The report argues that years of weak enforcement, regulatory failure, and political delay have allowed pollution from sewage, agriculture, and toxic chemicals to continue while wildlife has declined, and public trust has eroded. It calls for binding national targets, stronger regulators, and regional water authorities with real powers to plan and enforce action at catchment level.
As Parliament prepares to debate the Water Reform Bill, campaigners say half-measures will no longer be tolerated. Public support for clean rivers and beaches is overwhelming, and communities across the country are demanding change. British waters cannot wait. Read the full Clean Water Now report here and take action by telling your MP that you expect laws for water that stop polluters, fix what’s broken, and deliver clean water − now.
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About People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES)
- PTES, a UK conservation charity created in 1977, is ensuring a future for endangered species throughout the world. We protect some of our most threatened wildlife species and habitats, and provide practical conservation support through research, grant-aid, educational programmes, wildlife surveys, publications and public events.
- PTES’ current priority species and habitats include hazel dormice, hedgehogs, water voles, noble chafers, stag beetles, traditional orchards, native woodlands, wood pasture and parkland and hedgerows.
- Visit www.ptes.org and follow PTES on Facebook, Bluesky, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Wildlife and Countryside Link
- Wildlife and Countryside Link (Link) is the largest environment and wildlife coalition in England, bringing together over 90 organisations for the protection of nature. Our members campaign to conserve UK wildlife, plants, habitats, rivers and seas and improve access to and enjoyment of our natural spaces.
- Together our members have the support of over eight million people in the UK and directly protect over 750,000 hectares of land and 800 miles of coastline.
- Wildlife and Countryside Link is a registered charity number 1107460 and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales number 3889519
February 26th, 2026