Bathing Water Results: What they mean and what’s next

25 Nov 2025

3 minute read

The latest Bathing Water Results for England are in. While bathing water quality looks better than last year, proposed changes could put this progress at risk,

Each summer, in England, water quality is monitored at over 400 beaches, rivers and lakes which are popular for swimming. At the end of the bathing season, which officially runs from 15th May to 31st September, these bathing water sites are each given a rating based on health-related water quality standards; these range from the minimum ‘Sufficient’ standard to the top ‘Excellent’.

Designed to protect public health, these ratings also affect local communities, businesses, tourism, opportunities for recreation and the public's confidence in how well our water system is managed.

What do this year's results show?

32 sites (7%) were rated as ‘Poor’ – five fewer than last year – meaning that they failed to meet the minimum legal standards for safe bacteria levels and water users are at greater risk of becoming ill from water pollution, including ear, nose, throat and stomach infections.

Although it’s encouraging to see slight improvements from last year’s results, the number of ‘Poor’ sites is still eight times higher than in 2021. 27 new bathing sites were added to the list two years ago, many of which are freshwater rivers and lakes, which tend to have worse water quality than coastal bathing sites.

In Scotland, where results came out earlier this month, 97% of sites met minimum standards and 53% achieved the ‘Excellent’ standard, while 98% of Welsh bathing sites met minimum standards and 70% were ‘Excellent’.

Bathing Water Reform: What’s changed

Late last month, the UK Government updated the Bathing Water Regulations – the first time since 2013 – to change how bathing waters are designated and monitored, but what’s changed?

Instead of automatically removing a site’s bathing water status if it remains ‘Poor’ for five consecutive years, the government will be able to decide if more time should be given for improvements to be implemented.

This is a positive step forward for water users and local communities, as it recognises that sometimes the best solutions can take a bit longer to achieve positive results, and allows for flexibility to continue monitoring and improving water quality in these sites.

Until now, bathing water sites were designated based on how often people used the site. Going forward, proposed sites will have to pass an assessment of whether it’s feasible and cost beneficial to improve water quality to meet the minimum standard.

The Marine Conservation Society was clear when we responded to Defra’s consultation on the proposed reforms that we strongly disagree with this approach. While it’s important to ensure that there are timebound, well-resourced plans in place to improve the water quality to, and ideally beyond, the minimum standard, a ‘feasibility test’ risks excluding sites that are considered too polluted or costly to improve.

These are the areas most in need of monitoring and investment, leaving communities that use those sites exposed to ongoing health risks and unsafe conditions. It also stops investment in water quality improvements, which has a knock-on effect for local communities, businesses and tourism.

Going forward, the Environment Agency will be able to amend the dates that bathing waters are monitored on a site-by-site basis.

While this could allow for bathing sites that are used throughout the year to receive much needed year-round monitoring, we’re concerned that the government hasn’t specified if the current 15th May – 31st September bathing season will be kept as a minimum at all bathing water sites. If this isn’t the case, certain sites may face a shorter season, meaning there will be less monitoring and protection of them.

A woman swimming in the Lake District

Credit: Jaz Blakeston-Petch

What still needs to be done?

We’re concerned that these reforms do not go far enough to improve water quality and protect water users, and are disappointed that key reforms were omitted, including a review of how sites are monitored and classified.

More frequent sampling, consideration of a wider range of pollutants and ending the practice of excluding samples taken during short-term pollution incidents would provide a more accurate assessment of water quality. Further research into antimicrobial resistance and the health risks from microplastics and chemical contaminants, such as PFAS, should also be conducted.

This is a critical moment for the UK Government to lead with ambition, ensuring access to clean, safe bathing waters for all. We have welcomed the opportunity to provide feedback on the latest reforms and will continue to push for further reform to the Bathing Water Regulations. We hope that Defra will launch a consultation to take this forward next year and that we will see more improvements soon.

You can find the results for your local beach below.

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Bathing Water Results: What they mean and what’s next

The latest Bathing Water Results for England are in. While bathing water quality looks better than last year, proposed changes could put this progress at risk,

What do this year's results show?

Bathing Water Reform: What’s changed

What still needs to be done?

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