England Adds 27 New Bathing Waters for 2024 Season
Get ready for summer! Ahead of the 2024 bathing season, England is designating 27 new bathing water sites, bringing the total to a record 451. The season runs from 15 May to 30 September, and new spots include a dozen river locations from Dorset’s Church Cliff Beach to Cumbria’s Derwent Water, Devon’s River Dart, and North Yorkshire’s River Nidd.
Stricter Monitoring and Reforms on the Way
The Environment Agency keeps a close eye on water quality at all designated sites, working with farmers, communities, and water companies to tackle pollution. This year the government will launch a fresh consultation to reform Bathing Water Regulations. Proposed changes include year-round monitoring beyond the bathing season, stopping automatic de-designation of sites, and redefining “bathers” to include kayakers, rowers, and paddle boarders alongside swimmers.
Officials Commit to Cleaner Waters and Better Info
Water Minister Robbie Moore said:“Our bathing waters bring huge social and health benefits to communities. I’m thrilled to approve 27 new sites for 2024. These popular swimming spots will get regular monitoring to keep bathers informed and ensure standards stay high. I’m fully committed to improving the quality of coastal waters, rivers, and lakes for everyone.”
Environment Agency Chair Alan Lovell added:“England’s bathing waters are vital for residents and visitors. They undergo rigorous testing so bathers can choose wisely. We’ve seen massive improvements over the past decade — last year, 96% of sites met minimum standards, up from 76% in 2010, even as standards toughened.”
Big Investments and Tougher Rules to Protect Waters
Recent government actions to clean up waterways include:
- £11m Water Restoration Fund recycling water company fines into environmental projects.
- Mandatory monitoring of 100% of storm overflows to catch sewage spills.
- Removal of caps on civil penalties for polluting water companies.
- A historic £60 billion infrastructure programme over 25 years to upgrade assets and cut sewage spills.
- Expanded protections for coastal and estuarine waters, focusing on sensitive areas like bathing waters and shellfish beds.
- A targeted £35m plan to save the River Wye.
- £11.5m for 180 local projects boosting tree planting, habitat restoration, and flood management.
- Faster approvals for reservoirs and water transfer infrastructure.
The next application window for new bathing water sites opens in Spring 2025. For now, swimmers and water lovers can enjoy more clean spots this summer with confidence in better protection and transparency.
