Notes: [1] Scottish river classification network changed in 2000
[2] Northern Irish network expanded significantly in 2002
[2] Northern Irish network expanded significantly in 2002
| Change since | |
 |
1970 |
|
1990 |
|
Strategy [3] |
Coverage: Great Britain
Source: Environment Agency, SEPA, EHS
- The biggest improvements in both chemical and biological river quality since 1990 have been in English rivers, bringing more of them up to the quality seen in the rest of the UK.
- In 2002, 94 per cent of English rivers were of good or fair chemical quality, compared with 89 per cent in 1998. The chemical quality of rivers in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland has been maintained at high levels over this period.