ARCHIVE: Observatory monitoring framework – indicator data sheet

Environmental impact: Water

Indicator DA2: Chemical quality of rivers

The chemical quality of water is a guide to its ability to support life.  It is used in conjunction with other measures, such as the biological quality of water and concentrations of pollutants, to assess overall water quality.

Please note that the General Quality Assessment (GQA) reporting for river water quality has been revised because of the changes to the monitoring programme in the move towards Water Framework Directive (WFD) reporting. Figures for all years have been revised by the Environment Agency. This particularly affects the reporting of chemical quality which now excludes Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) monitoring. Further details can be found in the accompanying fact sheet.

80% of river length in England was of good chemical quality in 2009, up from 79% in 2008.

Regional data


There has been considerable variation between regions and also fluctuations between years. 

  • The percentage of total river length of good chemical quality increased in all regions except the North West between 2008 and 2009.
     
  • In 2009, the lowest levels of chemical quality were found in the Anglian region.


    • This indicator was updated in September 2010. The next update is expected in September 2011.

    Further information and contact

    Background information can be found in the accompanying fact sheet.

    For further queries or information on this indicator contact Defra's Observatory team on +44 (0) 1904 455229, email: observatory@defra.gsi.gov.uk

    Fact Sheet | Printable Version (PDF) | Background Data (Excel)

    Page last modified: 10 November, 2010
    Page published: June, 2007

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