Environment Agency failed to visit serious pollution incidents, files show
Summary
Files show that the Environment Agency in England did not visit many serious pollution incidents last year. Instead, the agency often relied on updates from water companies, which may have caused the pollution. Internal documents reveal that investigators only went to a small portion of reported incidents, and the agency sometimes lessened the seriousness of incidents without checking them in person.Key Facts
- The Environment Agency is responsible for monitoring pollution incidents in England.
- Last year, the agency visited only about 13% of reported pollution incidents.
- In one case, pollution killed all the fish in a reservoir, but the agency did not attend.
- The agency told investigators to go to all serious incidents, but this did not always happen.
- Water companies often reported incidents after the fact, making it hard to assess them.
- The agency downgraded the severity of many incidents without an in-person check.
- Criticism arose because the agency often relied on evidence provided by water companies.
- Campaigners argue that media attention is needed to prompt the agency to investigate properly.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
