Parliamentary Search

Written question asked by Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party) on Monday, 13 October 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 15 October 2025. It was answered by Emma Hardy (Labour) on Monday, 20 October 2025 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Rivers: Algae

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of blue-green algae on water quality in UK rivers.

Answer

The Environment Agency (EA) works with others including local authorities and Public Health England to manage waterbodies affected by blue-green algae and the risks they pose. The EA does not routinely monitor for blue-green algae but attends incidents and analyses samples where appropriate, assessing the risks and notifying water body owners, abstractors, Environmental Health Officers, as necessary.

Excessive nutrient enrichment is a major cause of algal blooms. The Government recognises this and is taking action to reduce nutrient pollution. The Environment Act 2021 sets legally binding goals to cut agricultural nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment entering water by 40% by 2038 (compared to a 2018 baseline), and to reduce phosphorus loadings from treated wastewater by 80% by 2038 (compared to a 2020 baseline). We have also committed to a review of the Environmental Improvement Plan, which will outline how Defra will meet these targets.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
81293
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Water Algae Rivers
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk