Chief regulator hails progress in transforming green policing

(by Karma Loveday)

In her annual report for 2024-25, the Environment Agency’s (EA) chief regulator Jo Nettleton celebrated the progress made to hold water companies accountable, despite some of the worst performance results for years being reported in the year. These include the 60% increase in serious pollutions documented in the EA’s July pollution report for 2016-24, and the industry achieving only half marks in October’s Environmental Performance Assessment.

Nettleton said: “Through increased monitoring and inspections at wastewater treatment works, we have a more comprehensive view of the wastewater assets and their issues than ever before. Our data can now reveal the true scale of the problems that demand urgent action from water companies. We now have the tools and intelligence, with an enhanced enforcement service and new powers from the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025. These will help us identify failures faster. We will also be able to better hold water companies to account. This turns awareness into action and drives the long-overdue change our environment demands.”

She reported that since 2023, the Agency has:

• Created over 500 roles focused on water industry regulation.

• More than tripled the number of wastewater treatment works inspections to over 4,650 in 2024-25, with 10,000 planned by March 2026. 

• Identified more instances of non-compliance (25% of sites had breaches). 

• Invested to enhance and transform regulatory digital systems. 

• Secured additional powers and resources under the Water Special Measures Act. 

Looking ahead, Nettleton said the EA’s largest ever criminal investigation into potential widespread non-compliance by water companies at over 2,000 sewage treatment works continues and that separately, seven cases against water companies will be going to court over the next few months.

She also noted the Special Measures Act would bring further new powers to impose swifter civil penalties and to cover enforcement costs from water companies. And that the installation of monitors at emergency overflows at pumping stations between now and 2035 – with initial priority given to those discharging to bathing, shellfish, chalk and protected waters – would yield further data to act on. 

Nettleton concluded:  “By 2030, I envisage that environmental regulation in England will have become more agile, flexible, and outcome focused. This will be achieved through clearer standards, improved use of data, and more proportionate oversight. This transformation is underway, driven by internal reform, external reviews, and the need to respond to environmental pressures while enabling sustainable growth.” 

She said that by 2030, she would like to see: 

• Fewer incidents, higher compliance.

• Smarter, risk-based regulation, guided by data and insight.

• Proportionate actions – light-touch where appropriate, firm where necessary. 

• A confident profession – regulators who are capable, trusted and proud of their role in environmental protection and sustainable development. The Agency should be able to attract and retain talented people through clear career pathways and professional development. 

• Digital by design – data and technology underpinning everything, and enabling evidence-based, efficient, and proportionate regulation.

• Earned autonomy – reduced burdens for compliant businesses, whilst poor performers will be held to account. 

• Improved early engagement – providing timely advice and guidance that supports company  plans and protects the environment.

• Integrated oversight – assurance and control frameworks that give clarity, confidence, and shared values to regulatory staff, creating a unified regulatory culture.