Environmental information

We classify the following as environmental information:

• the state of the elements in the environment, such as air, atmosphere, water, soil, land, landscapes and natural sites
• releases that could affect the environment, including substances, energy, noise, radiation, waste (including radioactive waste), emissions and discharges
• initiatives that are likely to affect the environment, such as policies, legislation, plans, programmes, agreements and activities
• reports on the implementation of environmental legislation
• the cost-benefit and economic analyses of environmental initiatives
• how human health can be impacted by environmental elements, releases or initiatives.

You do not have to refer to the Environmental Information Regulations specifically in your request, although it helps us if you do so that we can direct the enquiry to the appropriate team.

If you would like to request environmental information from us, please let us know the following:

• what you want to know
• the format you would like the information in, eg, letter, email or telephone call
• your contact details.

You can email your request to us at env.info@wessexwater.co.uk.

Alternatively, you can write to us at:

Environmental Information Requests
Compliance Team
Wessex Water Services Ltd
Claverton Down Road
Bath
BA2 7WW

Sometimes the interest of the general public is better served by environmental information not being made available. Examples include the location of rare wildlife species (to ensure ongoing protection) or situations where a legal process is underway. Information about these exemptions is available from the Information Commissioner's Office.

We are entitled to refuse to disclose all or part of the information requested based on the Information Commissioner Office's guidance. We will state, in writing, what exception the information falls under and explain our decision. The person requesting the information has the right to appeal the decision, initially to ourselves, and after that to the Information Commissioner's Office.

In some instances, the information may simply not exist – we will explain if this is the case. Or, it might be that another public body holds the information requested; if we are aware that this is the case, we will pass the request on to them, or refer the person making the request.

We have a finite capacity for the quantity of information that we can store and manage. Any important documents that we hold have a 'retention period' – they have to be kept for a certain amount of time before we dispose of them.

If any environmental information is unavailable because it has passed its 'use by date' and has been routinely disposed of, we will explain this. It is a criminal offence for anyone to alter, block, deface, erase, destroy or conceal any record to avoid having to disclose it.

If you made a request but you do not feel that we have dealt with it in accordance with the EIR, you have the right to register a complaint as follows:

Step 1:

You may request an internal review of the decision taken. The review will be undertaken by a senior team member who will examine your request, the information involved and our original response.

Internal review requests should be submitted in writing within 40 working days of receiving the response to your request and should set out how you believe we have not fulfilled the requirements of the EIR.

You can email your request to us at env.info@wessexwater.co.uk.

Alternatively, you can write to us at:

Environment & Catchment Strategy Team Wessex Water
Regional Operations Centre
Claverton Down
Bath
BA2 7WW

The outcome of the internal review will be provided to you as soon as possible and no later than 40 working days after we have received your review request.

Step 2:

If you're unsatisfied with the outcome of our internal review process, you should contact the Information Commissioner's Office.