Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to require the Environment Agency to revise environmental permits to enforce compliance with the Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations 1994.

The Environment Agency (EA) enforces the Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations (UWWTR) through environmental permits. These set discharge limits, nutrient removal standards, and monitoring and reporting requirements, based on population size and receiving water sensitivity. Operators must regularly report data, which the EA assesses for compliance. Enforcement action is taken for breaches. Under the Environmental Permitting Regulations, the EA also reviews permits periodically to ensure they stay aligned with UWWTR, capturing changes in population, treatment standards, or sensitive area designations. This ensures permits remain current, effective, and protective of the environment.