Annual regulation report 2023

As part of our commitment to transparency, we publish an annual regulation report, offering a comprehensive overview of our regulatory and enforcement activities.

Our 2023 report (our seventh) reflects our statutory regulatory duties and summarises our:

incident response
permitting and licensing
compliance
crime and enforcement and sanctioning actions

This is based on data from our key incident, permitting, compliance and enforcement systems, and covers the period 1 January to 31 December 2023 (unless specified). In addition, we have used qualitative information from our subject matter experts and relevant projects.

2023 in numbers

Water quality and water resources

We are committed to protecting and enhancing water quality and managing resources in Wales. Our efforts include monitoring water bodies for environmental standards, controlling pollution, and responding to quality incidents.

We regulate water abstraction to balance the needs of people, industry, and ecosystems, particularly during droughts.

Our goal is to maintain healthy rivers, lakes, and coastal waters, protect aquatic ecosystems, and ensure sustainable water resources for future generations.

39% (3,318) of all incidents report to us related to water
1,220, water incidents attended by us
1,242 active full abstraction licences were in force
99 water resources licence conditions were assessed, with 56% found to be non-compliant
37% increase in the number of water discharge permits we assessed
439 breaches were recorded for 338 non-compliant discharge permits
41 enforcement charges related to water
23% of all enforcement cases (831) related to water (190)

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. We also track non-compliance with permits and regulate waste charges to maintain standards and protect natural resources in Wales.

36% of all incidents reported to us related to waste
3,051 incidents reported and we attended 612
92 compliance assessments were completed at 68 intensive farming sites
363 effective installation permits
650 competed compliance assessments for installation permits
83% of all permitted installations sites assessed by us
32% of reported activity was related to illegal waste sites
2,541 new waste carrier, broker and dealer registrations
31% increase in the number of waste exemptions registered
377 non-compliances with permit conditions were recorded against waste operation permits
399 enforcement charges were related to waste

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.

520 recorded incidents related to agriculture
524 recorded incidents related to forestry
34 recorded incidents related to biodiversity
1,892 species licenses issued
519 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) consents and 441 SSSI assents issued
263 agriculture enforcement charges
216 statutory plant health notices issued
180 forestry licence and notice inspections
2,008 rod licence checks (evasion rate of 4%)
250 related incidents
78 fish kill incidents
94 fisheries enforcement charges

Incident response and enforcement

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. There may be a longer gap between the initial incident and the final resolution of the enforcement response.

8,505 incidents reported to us
29% of all incidents attended (2,448)
75% of total incidents reported came from water and waste
831 new enforcement cases
1,267 separate enforcement charges
799 offenders
85 prosecution cases comprising 126 charges
Four custodial sentences
£648,320 of fines imposed
400+ warning letters or notices sent to secure improvements and aid compliance

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 also issue flood risk activity permits for certain work near or in watercourses in Wales.

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.

229 incidents were related to flooding
136% increase in flood related incidents reported
144 compliance checks on flood risk activity permits classed as high-risk
81 operators complied with the conditions of their flood risk activity permits (FRAP)
173 marine licence applications were received
24 inspection reports received from high-risk reservoirs
420 reservoirs registered and regulated as large raised reservoirs (increased from 224)
67% of large raised reservoirs were designated as high risk reservoirs
218 flood risk activity permits (FRAP) issued
2 supervising engineers appointed at two reservoirs in default of the undertaker

Download the full report

Download the full annual regulation report for 2023 including:

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

Last updated