Environment Agency Expands Enforcement Team to Crack Down on UK Water Pollution

As part of its growing effort to tackle the damaging impacts of water pollution, the Environment Agency has expanded its enforcement team to its largest ever workforce. The agency has doubled down on enforcement officers, lawyers, and investigators to expand its power to hold those who pollute UK waters accountable.

The fivefold increase in personnel has, according to the Environment Agency, led to better performance and an increase in inspections to record levels, resulting in over £6.9 million being paid by water companies for breaking the law last year.

Future expansion of its workforce is also planned later in 2026 to continue to hold polluters accountable, bolstering the environmental performance of water companies. Further staff growth will be backed by a water enforcement budget of £153 million.

This news comes as a welcome development in the protection of UK rivers, lakes, and blue spaces, and at a time when the government has doubled down on its efforts hold water companies liable with its Water White Paper.

For more information on this development, read the full release here.