790 Environment Agency checks have been carried out in the last year across the West Country
The Environment Agency has called for over 280 improvements at Wessex Water sites across the West Country following extensive inspections.
In an effort to prevent pollution and enforce compliance within the water industry, the Environment Agency completed a record 10,000 inspections nationwide, with over 790 checks specifically on Wessex Water’s wastewater assets during 2025-2026.
Inspectors identified several problems, including faulty monitoring systems, inconsistent maintenance, inadequate stormwater management, leaking pipes, and groundwater infiltration. Additionally, issues were found with screening systems at some sites designed to prevent solid waste from entering watercourses.
These inspections have intensified over the past two years, ensuring water companies uphold environmental permit obligations.
The Environment Agency’s team overseeing inspections of Wessex Water’s assets, such as sewage treatment works and storm tanks, has boosted its checks by 90% compared to the previous year.
As a result, Wessex Water has been tasked with over 280 actions to meet compliance standards. Of the sites inspected, 72% met permit requirements.
Ed Lockington, water industry regulation manager for the Environment Agency, said:
“Each inspection pushes Wessex Water to improve the key parts of its network we all depend upon, including the environment.”
Helen Wakeham, Environment Agency’s Director for Water, added:
“In our role as regulators of the water industry, we are changing how we operate – with better data, our largest ever enforcement workforce and greater powers to do our job effectively.”
While most breaches in permit conditions were minor, they highlight the need for consistent management to protect the environment. Serious breaches with potential for pollution may lead to further investigation or enforcement action.
The Environment Agency is using data from these inspections to inform its regulatory approach, aiming to build better intelligence on water company operations and trends in non-compliance.
Enhanced monitoring, increased staffing, expanded inspection efforts, and improved infrastructure investment are part of a broader initiative to elevate the water industry’s environmental performance. During the next five years, £22.1 billion has been earmarked for industry investment, with Wessex Water set to invest £3.5 billion of this to meet tighter environmental standards.
