Water quality in the River Aire has improved significantly during the past decade, claims a new report.

The Environment Agency (EA) says agricultural pesticide levels have been cut, detergents from the textile industry reduced, and £120 million spent on sewage treatment works.

The measures are highlighted in the EA report Environment 2000 and Beyond, which provides a comprehensive assessment of current environmental standards in England and Wales.

The document states that although improvements have been seen nationally in water and air quality and in the growth of some wildlife populations, there are still many challenges to be faced.

John Murlis, a scientist with the EA, says: "Environment 2000 and Beyond brings together a wealth of information on the environment and how it is being altered by modern society.

"There are success stories. Water and air quality have improved in recent years through substantial investment by industry, for which effective regulation and education by the agency can share the credit. Species like the otter - which had suffered serious declines - are enjoying strong population growth and enriching our biodiversity.

"The agency targets its regulation and work with industry at reducing harmful emissions and discharges but there are many other pressures on the environment, particularly from transport and various forms of land use.

"The societal demands driving these activities are influenced by government policies but result largely from people's lifestyle choices - where they live, how they travel to work and the goods they consume. Despite a growing awareness of green issues, the current state of our environment makes it clear we must take greater responsibility for our consumerist throwaway society.

We consume more and produce more waste than ever before.

"Cleaner technologies can reduce some of the impacts, but only through greater collective responsibility will we produce all the improvements people want. Environment 2000 and Beyond shows where we have come from and offers food for thought on how we can ensure a better quality of life for generations to come."

Copies of the report are available on the EA website at www.environment-agency.gov.uk.