Data from the Environment Agency shows that just 14.3% of England’s surface waters achieved good ecological status, meeting the standards set out under the Water Framework Directive Regulations (WFDR).
Surface water bodies are classified as high, good, moderate, poor or bad, based on elements including aquatic species, temperature and oxygen levels, and the health of physical habitats such as riverbanks. Surface waters also receive a pass or fail for chemical status, covering issues such as legacy chemicals and microplastics. The data show that 65.4% of waterways were classified as moderate, 17% as poor, and 3.1% as bad.
Around half of all rivers have phosphate levels that exceed safe limits. Some of that is down to farming but sewage spills are also a significant factor. Data shows water companies made close to 300,000 sewage discharges in 2025. Although down on the previous year, the Rivers Trust said it should not be mistaken for progress with 2025 being a dry year.
The Environment Agency also noted that many factors can affect water including petrol and garden pesticides
Greenpeace said the findings should start alarm bells ringing. “The government needs to take urgent action to turn off the chemicals that are destroying our land at the source. The scale of this crisis is sobering. Water companies must be made to take responsibility for their part, but pollution from agriculture is now one of the biggest drivers of environmental damage in UK rivers.
“It’s time for the government to work with farmers, providing proper support to rein in runaway use of fertilisers and pesticides, and boost nature-friendly practices,” noted head of politics Ami McCarthy.
NFU Deputy President Paul Tompkins said: “Clean, healthy waterways matter enormously to farmers and growers, who live and work in the countryside to produce the nation’s food. These results demonstrate the need for continued action from every sector across the water supply chain, and farming is no exception, but the underlying indicators do show that the health of many waterways in England is encouraging, which is a positive foundation to build on.
“Across the country, farm businesses are improving soil and nutrient management, participating in agri-environment schemes and working through catchment partnerships to reduce run-off and deliver wider benefits for water, wildlife and the environment. We urge the government and the Environment Agency to prioritise working with farmers with targeted investment, practical advice and evidence-led regulation to deliver real, lasting improvements for England’s rivers and lakes.”
Dr Neal Evans of the Voluntary Initiative says it has long worked with farmers, agronomists and sprayer operators to reduce both point‑source and diffuse pollution from Plant Protection Products and points out it is important that the wider context is recognised.
“Even in a dry year, the volume of sewage discharges from the wastewater system remains extremely high. This is well documented by regulators and water companies themselves. For Greenpeace and other NGOs to attribute the majority of water‑quality failures to agriculture alone presents a misleading picture and risks diverting attention from the scale of the challenge within the wastewater infrastructure.
“Agriculture has a responsibility to act—and is acting—but meaningful progress requires an honest, evidence‑based understanding of all major contributors. We would welcome continued dialogue with all stakeholders to ensure that the debate remains balanced and that solutions are targeted where they will have the greatest impact.”
