06/08/2026
Still keeping up to date with everything water related, I’ve just read the government data released today on England’s surface waters and honestly… it’s grim.
😢 100% of England’s surface waters 4,658 surface water bodies that were assessed failed their overall status. Every single river, lake, estuary and coastal water body has failed to reach “good” overall status.
‼️0 met the standard.‼️
This is the water we swim in, paddle in, fish in. This is the water our kids play in. The water our wildlife depends on. The water that shapes our communities.
If we want change, we need transparency, accountability, and action not more excuses.
Our rivers and lakes deserve better. We deserve better!!
Below is a list of our MPs contact details and a letter you can copy and paste to send to your local MP, please feel free to add your own opinion as well!!
📧 Cornwall MPs
St Austell & Newquay — Noah Law (Labour)
• Noah Law — [email protected]
Truro & Falmouth — Jayne Kirkham (Labour)
• Jayne Kirkham — [email protected]
Camborne & Redruth — Perran Moon (Labour)
• Perran Moon — [email protected]
North Cornwall — Anna Gelderd (Labour)
• Anna Gelderd — [email protected]
South East Cornwall — Anna Firth (Conservative)
• Anna Firth — [email protected]
St Ives — Andrew George (Liberal Democrat)
• Andrew George — [email protected]
✉️ Letter to All Cornwall MPs — Surface Water Failures
Subject: Urgent Parliamentary Action Needed on England’s Surface Water Failures
Dear ………
I am writing as a resident of Cornwall and someone involved in the community and outdoor swimming and water activities.
The latest government data shows that every surface water body in England has failed to reach “good” overall status. This includes rivers, lakes, estuaries, and coastal waters, the very environments that shape Cornwall’s identity, economy, and community wellbeing.
Cornwall relies on clean, safe water for tourism, local livelihoods, wildlife, and public health. A 100% failure rate is not just an environmental concern; it is a social, economic, and public‑health issue that demands urgent and visible political action.
I am asking you, as our local elected representatives, to take the following steps:
• Press DEFRA and the Environment Agency for a clear, time‑bound recovery plan to improve ecological and chemical status in our region.
• Support stronger enforcement against polluters, including water companies and agricultural sources.
• Champion investment in real‑time water‑quality monitoring, so communities can make informed decisions about safety.
• Advocate for targeted funding for coastal and river restoration projects in Cornwall.
• Ensure transparency and accountability in how water companies report pollution events and meet regulatory obligations.
Cornwall deserves waters that are safe to swim in, safe for wildlife, and safe for future generations. I am asking you to take a strong, proactive stance on this issue and to communicate what actions you will support to address these failures.
I look forward to your response.
Yours faithfully
🛑 We need to take action and our MPs need to reflect local feeling in this matter.
Have a read yourself-
EA publishes latest data, providing detail on the health of England's rivers, lakes, estuaries and groundwater.
