Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government what powers the Environment Agency holds to require companies to release 15-minute flow data when requested, and under which regulations they have this power.

The Environment Agency has the power to require Water Companies to provide detailed flow data under the Environmental Permitting (England & Wales) Regulations 2016. Regulation 61(1) gives the power to require the information.

Permit conditions state reports in relation to 15-minute flow data are to be provided to the Environment Agency upon request within 28 days, unless otherwise specified in writing by the Environment Agency.

Authorised officers of the Environment Agency are empowered to inspect and retain copies of records that are relevant to any examination or investigation under Section 108 (4) (k) Environment Act 1995 – requirement to produce records.