Annual regulation report 2024

2024 in numbers

Water resources and water quality

We continue to work hard to protect and improve the quality of water in Wales. That means keeping an eye on our rivers, lakes, and coasts, tackling pollution, and taking action when there are problems. We also manage how much water is taken from the environment, especially during dry spells, to make sure there’s enough for people, nature, and businesses.

Our aim is to keep our waters healthy, support wildlife, and make sure future generations have clean and reliable water. Over the past year, we’ve seen a rise in water-related incidents. We increased water discharge compliance assessments, by 91%, almost double the number of assessments conducted last year.

We’re staying focused on making sure Wales has clean, safe, and sustainable water for everyone.

35% of all incidents related to water
3,600 water related incidents
1,153 water related incidents attended by us
1,243 water discharge compliance assessments conducted, a 91% increase from 2023
190 water resource compliance assessments conducted, 92% increase from 2023
228 enforcement cases related to water
505 enforcement breaches related to water

Waste and industry

We regulate waste and industry to minimise environmental impacts and ensure compliance with laws. We respond to waste incidents, monitor illegal activities like waste burning, and oversee permits to ensure everyone follows the rules. We manage waste carrier registrations and exemptions, areas of growth.

In 2024, waste incidents rose by more than 1,600. Most were low-level incidents, although high-level incidents had a higher attendance rate. Waste burning was the most frequent issue, followed by illegal waste sites, similar to 2023. Many permit non-compliances were found, mostly minor, and nearly all installation permit issues had minimal environmental impact.

Despite more incidents reported, the number of managed waste-related cases decreased compared to last year, helping us safeguard Wales’s natural resources.

45% of all incidents related to waste
4,688 incidents related to waste
513 waste related incidents attended by us
16,577 waste carrier, broker dealer licences issued
427 compliance assessments completed for waste operations
182 closed enforcement cases related to waste
477 enforcement breaches related to waste
51 COMAH (Control of Major Accident Hazards) sites in Wales in 2024, 24 top tier and 27 lower tier

Land, biodiversity and fisheries

We protect land, biodiversity, and fisheries. Our management ensures ecosystem health and tackles land degradation. We monitor biodiversity and safeguard threatened species and habitats. In fisheries, we regulate practices and manage fish populations in Welsh waters. Through habitat restoration and species conservation, we enhance natural landscapes and biodiversity in Wales.

In 2024, forestry incidents decreased, and fisheries incidents increased. Species licensing activity remained steady, while inquiries rose year on year. Intensive farming compliance checks grew 27%. Rod licence checks decreased revealed a small evasion rate of 3% across types.

423 incidents related to forestry
309 incidents related to fisheries
1,898 species licences active
471 SSSI assents and 408 consents active
1,560 rod and line licence checks completed (evasion rate of 3%)
296 closed enforcement cases related to agriculture
69 closed enforcement cases related to fisheries
23 closed enforcement cases related to biodiversit
650 Control of Agriculture Pollution Regulation (CoAPR) compliance inspections completed

Incident response and enforcement

It’s important to remember that our enforcement efforts can sometimes stretch across multiple reporting periods. This is especially true when our officers are engaged in intricate investigations, particularly those that connect with other agencies like the police and local authorities. As a result, there may be a longer gap between the initial incident and the final resolution of the enforcement response. We encourage you to be cautious when evaluating our enforcement performance based solely on the count of enforcement outcomes and prosecutions.

In 2024, incident reports rose significantly, including pollution and wildlife crime. We supported emergency services at numerous incidents. New enforcement actions resulted in charges and prosecutions with substantial fines, although lower than in 2023. To promote prevention, we issued advice, notices, warning letters, and cautions.

Our focus is on promoting environmental awareness, encouraging compliance, and assisting organisations and individuals with their responsibilities.

10,383 incidents reported to us
46% increase in incidents reported to us from 2023
2,118 incidents attended by us
20% of incidents attended by us
876 cases concluded
619 companies faced enforcement action
636 individuals faced enforcement action
80 prosecutions with 112 charges
1,145 advice and guidance issued, 149% increase from 2023
39% increase in formal cautions to 36

Flood, reservoirs and marine

We play a vital role in managing flood risks, ensuring reservoir safety, and protecting our marine environments. Our flood work involves monitoring and forecasting events, maintaining flood defences, and working hand-in-hand with communities to help them prepare for and respond to flooding effectively. We ensure reservoir safety through regular inspections and diligent enforcement of regulations to prevent potential issues. In the marine sector, we monitor water quality, support biodiversity, and regulate fishing and development activities, protecting habitats and promoting sustainable marine resource use.

In 2024, flooding incidents increased, but response rates stayed steady, with mostly low-level incidents and few requiring urgent action. There was a small decrease in flood permits from 2023 and there was a small decrease in marine permits issued.

We continue to focus on protecting communities, ecosystems, and managing resources sustainably.

260 incidents related to flood
205 active flood permits in 2024
59 compliance checks completed for flood risk permits
54 enforcement breaches related to flood
95% of checks completed were compliant with permit requirements
42 closed enforcement cases related to flood
178 marine licences issued
405 large raised reservoirs under our regulation in 2024

Download the full report

Download the full annual regulation report for 2024, including:

how we categorise incidents
our enforcement and sanctions approach
enforcement case studies
permitting our own activities
prosecution outcomes

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