The first designated bathing water area on the River Thames in London will welcome swimmers from Friday as part of 13 new monitored swimming sites across England. The Thames at Ham, in south-west London, has been granted the status after campaigners demonstrated that thousands of people use the river for swimming throughout the year.
Marlene Lawrence, founder of the Teddington Bluetits, which has over 2,000 members, submitted the application alongside colleagues. 'This is amazing for the river and for the many people who enjoy it,' she said. 'We want bathing water status to be a driver of keeping the River Thames clean.'
Other new bathing sites include a tidal inlet off the River Yealm in south Devon, part of the River Fowey in Lostwithiel, Cornwall, the River Dee at Sandy Lane in Chester, a sea swimming area at Little Shore in Amble, Northumberland, Pangbourne Meadow in Berkshire, and the River Swale in Richmond, Yorkshire.
Water minister Emma Hardy said: 'The introduction of these new bathing sites means better monitoring of our waterways, a boost for local tourism and greater confidence for local swimmers.' She added that the government is committed to 'generational reform of our water industry'.
Campaigners have fought for river bathing water status for six years under the EU-derived bathing water directive, aiming to drive a cleanup. Rivers suffer from sewage discharge, chemicals, and runoff, and the rigorous testing required for bathing waters is expected to pressure water companies to reduce pollution. The Environment Agency will monitor faecal indicator organisms weekly throughout the summer.
At Ilkley in West Yorkshire, where the Wharfe became the first river to gain bathing water status five years ago, Yorkshire Water is investing over £85 million in infrastructure improvements to boost water quality.
