When a flood happened, Environment Agency Wales worked with the emergency services and local authorities to minimise the harm to people and damage to property.

[2] Environment Agency Wales was responsible for ensuring that environmental legislation was implemented properly on behalf of the Welsh and UK governments.

To do this, Environment Agency Wales gave advice and issued permits, authorisations and consents to businesses that complied with legislative requirements.

If businesses failed to comply with their permits, and pollution occurred, Environment Agency Wales took enforcement action against them, including prosecution on occasion.

It also dealt with high risk activities such as illegal disposal of wastes, where there was an actual or imminent threat of significant flooding or pollution.

[2] Environment Agency Wales created and improved habitats for fish and other water-based wildlife such as salmon and helped species that were at risk, such as the freshwater pearl mussel.

EPAC advised Environment Agency Wales on issues of environmental protection, pollution control, water resources, air quality and waste regulation.