The Environment Agency is a public body responsible for protecting and improving the environment in England. We are a data controller under data protection legislation.
For more information on how we handle personal data more broadly, see our personal information charter.
Why we collect personal data
We collect personal data to assess and determine disputes under Section 101A of the Water Industry Act 1991, which relates to the provision of public sewers where existing drainage is causing or likely to cause environmental or amenity issues.
Some of this information may be provided voluntarily by applicants, residents, or sewerage undertakers and may include personal data relating to you and third parties.
What personal data we collect
We may collect:
- your name, address, and contact details
- details of the property or premises involved
- information about private drainage systems and their environmental impact
- correspondence and supporting documents related to your application or dispute
- information provided by other parties such as residents and local authorities
How we use your personal data
We use your information to:
- assess whether the criteria under Section 101A of the Water Industry Act 1991 are met
- determine whether a sewerage undertaker is required to provide a public sewer to serve your property and the associated locality
- communicate with you and other relevant parties during the dispute resolution process
- maintain records of our decisions and actions
- inform Environment Agency and government policy relating to Section 101A and provision of first time sewerage and to improve our processes
- respond to requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 or the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, where required
We will not use your personal data for purposes unrelated to the uses listed above.
Our legal basis for processing
We process your personal data under:
- Article 6(1)(e) of the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the Environment Agency
- Section 101A of the Water Industry Act 1991, which confers duties on the Environment Agency as the statutory arbiter of first-time sewerage disputes
Who we share your personal data with
We may share your information with:
- the relevant sewerage undertaker involved in the dispute
- other residents or applicants, where necessary to ensure a fair determination process
- legal representatives or agents acting on your behalf
- other public authorities or regulatory bodies where we need to do so to discharge legal obligations and public functions
- our contractors and advisers where they are supporting our statutory functions under strict confidentiality terms
As a public authority, we may also be required to disclose information that you have provided in response to information requests under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004. We will take reasonable steps to consider your rights and any confidentiality concerns before any disclosure.
We will not share your or any third-party personal data provided with third parties for marketing purposes.
How we store your personal data
Your information is stored securely in accordance with our data protection policies. We retain your data only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes outlined above, or as required by law.
Your rights in respect of processing your personal data
Your legal rights in relation to any personal data about you that we hold you can be found in the Environment Agency’s personal information charter.
If you are unhappy with how we have handled your personal data, please contact us first so we can try to resolve your concern.
You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
Your responsibility
If you have included personal data about any other individuals in your submissions, you must inform them of this. You must provide them with a copy of this privacy notice so that they are aware of how their personal data will be used.
Contact us
If you have any questions or wish to exercise your rights, please contact our Data Protection Officer.