Campaigners say that despite sewage continuing to pollute bathing waters, official designation has become one of the most effective tools for forcing water companies to clean up their act. Six river swimming spots are to be officially designated as bathing sites by the government this summer, despite 12 of 14 existing river bathing sites being unusable due to pollution.
Health Warnings at Existing Sites
Signs advising people to stay out of the water have been installed at these 12 sites after tests raised concerns about contamination from bacteria linked to human and animal faeces – indicating sewage and/or agricultural runoff was contaminating the water. The warnings come as the government confirms that six new river locations, including the first on the River Thames in London, will be monitored for the first time this season.
Water Quality Ratings
The government's records show that among river bathing sites, only the River Stour in Suffolk and a stretch of the River Thames in Oxfordshire met acceptable standards last year. Water quality at the remaining 12 was rated “poor”, with swimmers advised to avoid entering the water. Samples are taken to measure water quality from May to September, and annual ratings classify each site as excellent, good, sufficient or poor. Meanwhile, a BBC visit to these sites found signage had been erected advising "against swimming".
Expansion of Bathing Sites
The new designations form part of a wider expansion, with 13 new bathing sites in total, taking the number of monitored locations to more than 460 across England. Most are coastal, but an increasing number are freshwater lakes and rivers. The Environment Agency will publish test results online throughout the season. To qualify as a bathing site, locations must meet criteria including high numbers of swimmers and access to toilet facilities. While coastal water quality is generally stronger, inland rivers remain vulnerable to sewage discharges and agricultural run‑off.
Campaigners' Perspective
Campaigners say designation has become one of the most effective tools for forcing water companies to reduce sewage spills. One described it as “bonkers” that the best way to clean up a polluted river is to make it popular for swimming. Announcing the new sites, water minister Emma Hardy said the expansion would mean “better monitoring of our waterways, a boost for local tourism, and greater confidence for local swimmers.” "Following years of indifference towards bathing waters, this government has expanded the number of sites as part of our overhaul of the water sector. We’re committed to generational reform of our water industry and won’t stop until the job is done," she added.
Challenges for River Sites
Asked to comment on the poor track record at the existing river bathing sites across the country, Defra did not offer a comment to The Independent, but directed towards guidance stating that "rivers face a greater challenge to meet bathing standards than coastal locations". This is because saltwater in the sea acts as a natural disinfectant, and because faecal matter disperses easily. Meanwhile, rivers are connected to sewage works outfalls as well as the emergency storm overflows which can bring untreated sewage directly into waterways.
Water Companies' Concerns
Water companies, however, warned that designating sites before they are declared safe represents a risk to the public who may be misled by the new bathing site designations. A Water UK spokesperson told The Independent: “Designating an area as a bathing water before it is suitable for bathing and without a plan in place to clean it up risks confusing the public, who will rightly believe it is safe to swim there.” The Environment Agency said its officers would carry out more than 7,000 tests across the 460‑plus bathing waters this summer. Chair Alan Lovell urged swimmers to check water quality before entering rivers or the sea, adding that the growing number of designations reflected “the importance communities place in their local environment and water quality.”
