The results, which are based on monitoring data taken over the period 2008 to 2010 inclusive, show that:
- In England and Wales, 28% of surface water bodies (rivers, lakes and coastal & transitional waters) are at good ecological status/potential or better. The assessment in 2009 was 27%.
- For rivers, 27% of water bodies are at good ecological status/potential or better. The assessment in 2009 was 26%.
In the update, the Agency said that there was is no statistically significant change in the numbers of waterbodies achieving Good Ecological Status from when the Final River Basin Plans were published in 2009.
Simple comparison with the 2009 baseline results is not possible as changes to status could be due to methodological changes (for instance using data from a greater number of quality indicators) rather than genuine environmental change. The Agency said the real test of change in status needs to be made over the 6-yearly river basin management cycle.
Because of the way classifications are calculated (in line with the requirements of the Directive), improvements within some of the measured elements can be masked by others not having changed. This is borne out by analysis of the results for England and Wales which show there has been a 2 percentage point net increase in status across all measured elements since 2009.
Ecological Status includes measurements of biology, for example, fish, plants and other water life. The biology of natural waters generally takes a while to respond to improvements in water quality because of the need for colonisation and reproduction by new species. These natural processes can often take several years to be complete.
The Agency said that good progress is being made in completing the investigations identified in the Final River Basin Plans. Actions to improve ecological status are being taken with significant funding being put in place to assist with the work.
The update is now available on the EA website at: http://www.environmentagency.gov.uk/research/library/data/97343.aspx.
The full dataset is available on Datashare: http://www.geostore.com/environment-agency.
for use in chlorine monitoring equipment after similar pumps were found less reliable. 
Welsh Water’s challenge to upgrade the sewage infrastructure within the £multi-million brownfield Swansea Waterfront re-development was facilitated with an innovative Hydro Vortex Drop™ shaft solution from Hydro International.
north-east of Kiev, the Ukrainian capital. The Berson UV systems disinfect effluent prior to its discharge into the Desna River. 
