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The Guardian
7 days ago
- The Guardian
Country diary: Swimming in the satin sea, suddenly it turns to filth
My usual summer swim spot is on the lazy, green Yorkshire Derwent. But after school on the hottest Friday of the year, we fancy a change and head for the coast with friends. We love the beach at Hunmanby Gap for its sand, sea, views of the seabird-stacked Bempton cliffs and the almost complete lack of commodification – even the delightfully ramshackle clifftop cafe closes early. The kids spend hours enacting splashy paddleboard piracy. As the sun sinks, I swim past them, and past gentle breakers into a perfect sea of soft, blue taffeta ripples. But 40 metres out, the surface texture changes from satiny to fuzzy. At first I think it's floating seaweed, but my husband has a better view from his paddleboard. 'Urrgh! Sewage slick, go back!' There's been no rain and we checked the discharge map, but despite laws in place to protect us and the environment, and real-time data beamed to my phone, I've still ended up swimming in illegal filth from a green-tick beach. It's a familiar story, one in which, extraordinarily, our water companies are being investigated for corporate criminality. I thought I couldn't be more angry, but now there's a new twist, as some companies appear to be adopting new tactics that subject swimmers to more exclusion, persecution and misinformation. Bristol Water recently closed access to a popular reservoir on hot days and Severn Trent Water is threatening swimmers at Bartley reservoir with costly legal action for an unauthorised dip while permitting other water sports. As usual, they cite safety. But while every drowning in this sort of setting is a tragedy, cycling, running and horse riding all have far higher fatality rates. The number of experienced cold-water swimmers who get into trouble is extremely small, and the health benefits mean we're much better off doing it than not. Water companies could do far more to keep us safe by cleaning up their act and promoting safe swimming at sites including reservoirs, as happens in France and Scotland. Perhaps we shouldn't be surprised that they dislike us. When the CEO of Water UK linked the awareness of the sewage scandal to the rise in wild swimming, there was more than a hint of a Scooby-Doo subtext: 'We'd have gotten away with it too, if it wasn't for those meddling kids.' Under the Changing Skies: The Best of the Guardian's Country Diary, 2018-2024 is published by Guardian Faber; order at and get a 15% discount
The Guardian
23-07-2025
- The Guardian
Country diary: Swimming in the satin sea, suddenly it turns to filth
My usual summer swim spot is on the lazy, green Yorkshire Derwent. But after school on the hottest Friday of the year, we fancy a change and head for the coast with friends. We love the beach at Hunmanby Gap for its sand, sea, views of the seabird-stacked Bempton cliffs and the almost complete lack of commodification – even the delightfully ramshackle clifftop cafe closes early. The kids spend hours enacting splashy paddleboard piracy. As the sun sinks, I swim past them, and past gentle breakers into a perfect sea of soft, blue taffeta ripples. But 40 metres out, the surface texture changes from satiny to fuzzy. At first I think it's floating seaweed, but my husband has a better view from his paddleboard. 'Urrgh! Sewage slick, go back!' There's been no rain and we checked the discharge map, but despite laws in place to protect us and the environment, and real-time data beamed to my phone, I've still ended up swimming in illegal filth from a green-tick beach. It's a familiar story, one in which, extraordinarily, our water companies are being investigated for corporate criminality. I thought I couldn't be more angry, but now there's a new twist, as some companies appear to be adopting new tactics that subject swimmers to more exclusion, persecution and misinformation. Bristol Water recently closed access to a popular reservoir on hot days and Severn Trent Water is threatening swimmers at Bartley reservoir with costly legal action for an unauthorised dip while permitting other water sports. As usual, they cite safety. But while every drowning in this sort of setting is a tragedy, cycling, running and horse riding all have far higher fatality rates. The number of experienced cold-water swimmers who get into trouble is extremely small, and the health benefits mean we're much better off doing it than not. Water companies could do far more to keep us safe by cleaning up their act and promoting safe swimming at sites including reservoirs, as happens in France and Scotland. Perhaps we shouldn't be surprised that they dislike us. When the CEO of Water UK linked the awareness of the sewage scandal to the rise in wild swimming, there was more than a hint of a Scooby-Doo subtext: 'We'd have gotten away with it too, if it wasn't for those meddling kids.' Under the Changing Skies: The Best of the Guardian's Country Diary, 2018-2024 is published by Guardian Faber; order at and get a 15% discount
BBC News
16-07-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Water supply problems in Tytherington lead to paddling pool washes
People living in a village near Bristol say they are experiencing ongoing low water pressure problems leading to one family having to wash in a paddling residents in Tytherington, near Thornbury, say the situation is "beyond a joke" and is "absolutely appalling".Tracey Edmonds, who lives on Tytherington Hill, said: "It has just got worse and worse."The BBC has asked for an explanation from Bristol Water but has not yet had a response. "You'd get times when there would be water upstairs and just a dribble downstairs, and it just built up and built up and now we can be without water three or four hours both morning and evening," Ms Edmonds said. "You can't use the washing machine and you can't use a dishwasher because there's not enough water. You can't use the toilet flush upstairs or downstairs."My partner had to have a wash in the paddling pool last weekend, because there wasn't any water and he needed to wash."In a social media post, locals have complained that they have been "putting up with it for months".Others agreed there was sometimes not enough pressure to shower or do the washing Edmonds added: "There is really low pressure, a dribble, and sometimes we are without water."None of us are happy, it's just ridiculous."
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Reservoir to shut to public during weekend heatwave
Members of the public will be barred from a major reservoir this weekend to prevent them jumping into the water during the forecast heatwave. Access to the permissive path at Cheddar Reservoir in Somerset will be suspended from sunset on Thursday until Monday morning. Bristol Water, which operates the site, said the decision was made as part of its routine water safety practice during extreme heat. The company apologised to visitors, but said it wanted to avoid putting extra pressure on the emergency services. More news stories for Somerset Listen to the latest news for Somerset Reservoirs can be dangerous due to currents caused by pumping machinery, hidden underwater structures and their depth. Their steep sides often make it difficult for swimmers to get out. "With the extreme heat, and very little shade around the reservoir's permissive path, we want everyone to stay safe," Bristol Water said. "We know the water can look very tempting on hot days, but it can be extremely dangerous and we don't want any extra pressure on the emergency services on what will already be a very busy few days for them." Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Wild swimmers defy pleas and protest in prohibited area 'We want to swim in reservoirs in England and Wales' Dozens attend trespass swim protest at reservoir Bristol Water
BBC News
09-07-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Cheddar Reservoir to shut to public during weekend heatwave
Members of the public will be barred from a major reservoir this weekend to prevent them jumping into the water during the forecast to the permissive path at Cheddar Reservoir in Somerset will be suspended from sunset on Thursday until Monday Water, which operates the site, said the decision was made as part of its routine water safety practice during extreme company apologised to visitors, but said it wanted to avoid putting extra pressure on the emergency services. Reservoirs can be dangerous due to currents caused by pumping machinery, hidden underwater structures and their depth. Their steep sides often make it difficult for swimmers to get out. "With the extreme heat, and very little shade around the reservoir's permissive path, we want everyone to stay safe," Bristol Water said."We know the water can look very tempting on hot days, but it can be extremely dangerous and we don't want any extra pressure on the emergency services on what will already be a very busy few days for them."
