England's water quality problem has been highlighted after the Environment Agency reported that one in 12 of the nation's official wild swimming spots do not meet water quality standards. Out of 450 sites, 37 had poor water quality in 2024, with the number of failing sites increasing sharply among newly designated spots, most of which are in polluted rivers. While 91.8% met the minimum clean water standards and 64.2% reached 'excellent' levels, inland waters fared worse than coastal areas, with only 53% deemed sufficient or better. Water Minister Emma Hardy and Environment Agency chairman Alan Lovell both expressed concern about these results, and campaigners are calling for significant reforms to the bathing water classification system.
England 's filthy water problem has been laid bare after figures revealed around one in 12 of its official wild swimming spots are failing to meet water quality standards.
The data also revealed a big disparity in water quality between coastal bathing waters, where 95 per cent met the minimum standards, and inland waters such as rivers, where only half were classed as sufficient or better. Of all the 450 bathing sites found along this country's coasts, lakes and rivers, some 37 of them had their water quality rated as poor in 2024 by the Environment Agency
Officials said this is in part due to the existing water quality of 27 new bathing sites designated at the start of the season, which have previously not been managed for bathing before and 18 of which were rated poor in their first year of testing. Officials say water pollution at designated bathing waters comes from a range of sources including sewage, agricultural and road run-off and even dogs and wildlife such as seagulls.
Giles Bristow, chief executive of Surfers Against Sewage, said the bathing water classification regime 'isn't just inadequate, it's misleading and needs radical reform'.
Water Quality Wild Swimming Spots Environment Agency England Pollution Bathing Water Standards Reform
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Environment Agency pledges more officers to probe water pollutionThe agency says it will provide 30 more officers to investigate water pollution across the region.
Read more »
Ludlow: River Teme pollution near bathing site traced to farmThe Environment Agency issues a farm with a warning notice after water was polluted with slurry.
Read more »
Environment Agency combats River Cam 'pollution incident'The body says oil-absorbent booms are positioned in the river and the situation is being monitored.
Read more »
Belfast march for clean water demands 'well funded water service''The Stormont Executive is a public health risk to the people of Northern Ireland - Belfast Lough is drowning in our own sh*t'
Read more »
Scottish Water reassuring customers in North Lanarkshire water supplies are safeOperatives are continuing an extensive flushing programme in Wishaw, Newmains, Bellside, Chapelhall, and Newarthill.
Read more »
Tory treasurer’s water company in discussions to take stake in Thames WaterCastle Water’s plans for the troubled utility include an eventual IPO
Read more »