Latest news with #bathing
Telegraph
17-05-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
The polluted ‘Brown Flag' beaches you should avoid this summer
Dirty beaches and polluted rivers are nothing new in the UK. I recall, in the mid-1980s, my sister's grim descriptions of the brownish brine off Conwy in North Wales, where she learnt to water-ski. I have seen suspicious things floating in the River Dart in Totnes and off the beach at Blackpool North. So it came as no surprise to discover that the waters off both Totnes and Blackpool North Beach are classified as 'poor', with 'bathing not advised', on the latest annual Swimfo water-quality survey, published by the Environment Agency (EA). It collates water samples and checks for intestinal enterococci (IE) and Escherichia coli ( – bacteria which, if ingested, can cause nausea, severe stomach pain, diarrhoea and, in the worst cases, contribute to kidney failure. This year's report surveyed 450 sites in England regularly used by swimmers, the majority on the coast, but also a handful of popular inland bathing sites. Half of the latter, on the EA map, are denoted by a red no-entry sign, probably reflecting the widely reported impact of farming run-off on inland rivers. The Government has promised to 'clean up our waterways – dramatically cutting sewage spills by 2030', and it clearly has a job on its hands. Overall, 413 (or 92 per cent) of the 450 swimming sites met at least the minimum standard of the Bathing Water Regulations and 289 (64 per cent) met the 'excellent' standard. Thirty-seven, or 8 per cent, did not meet the minimum standard, and were classified as 'poor'. The proportion of 'good' and 'excellent'-rated sites has fallen slightly year on year – partly because 18 of 27 newly added locations were classified as 'poor'. Environment Agency chair Alan Lovell said the results 'show there is much work still to do, particularly to bring our inland bathing waters up to standard'. Water minister Emma Hardy was more forthright: 'These figures are unacceptable and show that too many of our popular swimming spots are polluted.' Kirsty Davies, community water quality manager at marine conservation charity Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), points to deeper problems in the data. 'This month sees the start of the official bathing season in England and Wales, with more and more people flocking to blue spaces. The Swimfo map shows the stark contrast between the number of designated sites on the coast versus inland, as well as showing that many sites are polluted. 'Once the bathing season starts, Swimfo shows data up to a week after a sample has been taken which is totally useless for water users checking conditions before going for a surf, swim or paddle. This isn't good enough. SAS is calling for real-time monitoring for pollutants harmful to human health – not just the two bacteria types that are currently monitored. Detailed, year-round monitoring has to happen to ensure people can check water quality conditions at our wild waters any time of year.' Davies also criticised a proposed 'feasibility test' scheme that, she claims, 'will deem some locations as too polluted to protect'. She said: 'If these locations fail the feasibility study, even though it is proven to be well-used by bathers, they will not be designated as a bathing water. This is an appalling development which allows water companies to continue dumping sewage whilst washing their hands of responsibilities to clean up their act.' For its part, the Government says polluting water bosses could face up to two years in prison. It is also axing fixed water-bathing seasons, which it recognises are outdated. In the meantime, where can we swim with confidence, and where should we avoid? The cleanest beaches Devon and Cornwall have the most beaches surveyed and, as you'd expect, the greatest number of cleanest, three-star options: 56 for Devon and 73 for Cornwall. Devon favourites like Babbacombe, Bantham and Hope Cove in South Devon, and Lynmouth and Ilfracombe Tunnels in the north, scooped three stars. Plymouth Hoe's two beaches and Paignton Sands were also classified as 'excellent', showing mass-market destinations can be kept spick and span. There were six two-star beaches, including Goodrington and Wembury. Ilfracombe Hele and Sandy Bay received only one star. In Cornwall, three stars were garnered by Harlyn Bay, Mawgan Porth, Porthcurno and both Praa Sands beaches, besides many others. Fourteen two-star beaches included Marazion and Penzance. Par Sands was the county's sole one-star beach. Dorset is another big hitter, with 34 three-star beaches. Essex had nine, including Clacton. Scroll down to see the full county-by-county list. The best and worst counties More than 80 per cent of the beaches surveyed in Dorset, Devon and Cornwall got the top rating of three stars. But they are pipped to the top prize by Northumberland, where 92 per cent are rated 'excellent'. Fewer than half of Sussex's beaches made the grade, a blow for traditional resorts like Bexhill, Goring Beach and Worthing – which all received one-star. Most disheartening were the counties that abut the Irish Sea. In Merseyside, Cumbria and Lancashire, fewer than one in three beaches got three stars, with Lancashire having none in this category. Merseyside fared only slightly better, but did have two three-star beaches, at Formby and Moreton. Somerset also performed poorly, with only a single three-star beach (Porlock Weir). Northumberland: 92 per cent of beaches rated 'excellent' Dorset: 87 per cent Devon: 86 per cent Cornwall: 82 per cent Lincolnshire: 78 per cent Hampshire and New Forest: 73 per cent Isle of Wight: 73 per cent Norfolk: 69 per cent Suffolk: 67 per cent Yorkshire: 52 per cent Essex: 50 per cent Tyne and Wear: 50 per cent Sussex: 47 per cent Kent: 42 per cent County Durham: 33 per cent Merseyside: 29 per cent Cumbria: 25 per cent Somerset: 10 per cent Lancashire 0 per cent The dirtiest 'Brown Flag' beaches Twenty-five beaches in England are best left to photographers, walkers and sunset-hunters. Famous strands like St Annes North, Bridlington, Scarborough and Southsea all boasted worrisome amounts of and IE. The EA data allows prospective visitors – and campaigners – to drill down to see how many pollutants were caught in the samples. You just have to click on the location on the map. St Annes North, to take an example, received a single star in 2021 and 2022, but was deemed 'poor' for 2023 and 2024. The EA notes that the area 'has mixed use with the land immediately behind the beach being predominantly urban and becoming more agricultural further inland', and that the River Ribble 'discharges to the sea approximately five kilometres south of the bathing water'. In short, keep your body, and your kids, out of the sea at St Annes North – and all the following sections of the English coast: Porthluney – Cornwall Coastguards Beach, Erme Estuary – Devon Ilfracombe Wildersmouth – Devon Instow – Devon Lyme Regis Church Cliff Beach – Dorset Clacton (Groyne 41) – Essex Southsea East – Hampshire Deal Castle – Kent Dymchurch – Kent Littlestone – Kent Blackpool North – Lancashire St Annes North – Lancashire Heacham – Norfolk Burnham Jetty North – Somerset Weston Main – Somerset Weston Super Mare Sand Bay – Somerset Weston Super Mare Uphill Slipway – Somerset Dunster Beach – Somerset Blue Anchor West – Somerset Bognor Regis, Aldwick – Sussex Worthing Beach House – Sussex Tynemouth Cullercoats – Tyne and Wear Littlehaven Beach – Tyne and Wear Scarborough South Bay – North Yorkshire Bridlington South Beach – East Riding of Yorkshire To check bathing water quality at a location near you, visit the Swimfo website.
BBC News
11-05-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Seawater sampling to test water quality in Jersey
Tests to determine the quality of Jersey's seawater will begin on Government of Jersey said sampling would take place weekly at 16 bays on Mondays and Tuesdays until 23 September, as required by the EU Bathing Water government said the results would be updated automatically on the interactive map on its said signs would also be placed at each sampling point showing a QR code linking to the latest results. Results 'only a snapshot' The government said monitoring seawater quality enabled it to keep the public informed and to identify episodes of it warned the results were "only a snapshot of the water quality at the time of sampling" and reminded bathers that they entered coastal waters "at their own risk".The government advised people to avoid swimming for 48 hours after heavy rainfall and also when sea foam was present, as it might contain substances that could be harmful.
CNA
09-05-2025
- CNA
We checked out Singapore's new stylish bathhouse at Dempsey that's designed for doing nothing
The rain begins to fall in slow, silvery threads. In the distance, a lone red junglefowl darts for cover. Around me, the bathers fall into a hush, as we watch the dense wall of greenery blur behind wide windows. I start to notice the small things: The silky warmth of water enfolding my body, the layered soundscape of drizzle and sonic beats. The storm outside lulls me into a kind of limbo, and my mind quiets. I feel cocooned in a forested mountain hideaway. Except that I'm in the heart of Dempsey at Nowhere Baths, a contemporary bathhouse designed to bring back the ancient, communal pleasure of bathing. Opened on Apr 18, Nowhere Baths is the brainchild of Derrick Foo, 37, and Sarah Chan, 34. The couple are the same duo behind Palm Avenue Float Club, Singapore's pioneering floatation therapy centre opened in 2014, and Altered States, a now-shuttered wellness and movement space in Kampong Bahru. Nowhere is their newest vision yet – a sanctuary to 'soak, sweat and steam, dream, and simply be.' BATHING AS PLEASURE, NOT PERFORMANCE Growing up in Singapore, communal bathhouses were hardly part of the cultural norm. The turning point came in 2017, when Foo had a profound bathing experience while attending a silent meditation retreat in Japan. The only place to wash was a communal onsen. "I didn't realise it then, but soaking in silence, resting my aching knees after long hours of sitting, changed my perception of what it meant to bathe," Foo said. Back in Singapore, they began visiting Yunomori Spa and Onsen monthly, each time emerging more re-energised. It sparked a deeper curiosity: and they dove into bath-related literature, such as Undesigning The Bath, Leonard Koren's philosophical treatise on bathing spaces. Throughout history, bathing for pleasure is an ancient ritual tied to health, spirit, and enjoyment. For instance, wherever the Romans conquered, they built bathhouses that became integral to daily social, cultural, and political life. 'So much of modern wellness focuses on results, biohacking, and performance recovery,' added Chan. 'But what about pleasure? What about stillness? We wanted to bring it back to basics – bathing as an experience. A space to awaken the body, rest the mind, and reconnect with yourself and with others.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Charmaine Seah-Ong (@eleventhour) Having decided to close Altered States, they also felt a deep, personal need to evolve themselves, the business, and 'to follow what truly excited them.' The pair travelled to Finland, Taiwan, and Japan to study global bath cultures, and noticed a recurring theme: bathing was always intertwined with nature. In Singapore, such nature-based bathing experiences are rare, or tucked away in exclusive luxury hotels. They scouted several locations, from Mount Sophia to Gillman Barracks, before finally settling on Dempsey. The journey wasn't easy – it took over a year to build Nowhere Baths. There were no accurate records of the site, and it lacked proper sanitation. They consulted local experts and even brought in a holistic consultant, who used sacred geometry to help design a space that would feel balanced and healing. A SPACE FOR EVERYBODY The journey to Nowhere Baths already invites a slowdown. Driving out of the city's bustle into the leafy calm of Dempsey sets the tone. I arrive on a soft-launch Saturday evening, where a two-hour pass goes for S$55. The bathhouse team welcomes me warmly. Architect Pan Yi Cheng, co-founder of design studio Produce, envisioned the space as a continuous, unfolding journey – one that moves through both space and shifting atmospheres of temperature, humidity, and sensory environments. With curved forms, cave-like alcoves, and organic transitions, the space conjures up images of Ottoman-era hammams. The spherical structures and flowing lines are meant to 'caress' the body, creating a sensuous, immersive experience. The atmospheric palette – earthy, subdued tones, sandy hues, and warm terracotta – are a gentle canvas to the rich vibrant, green of the surrounding forest. Inside, mirrors shaped like mirages and curved walkways add a sense of mystery. Guests experience a range of spaces designed for rest and recovery: Two hot pools (one infused with Epsom salt, another with calming nanobubbles), a dry sauna of steady heat, a steam room, and an invigorating cold plunge. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tracy Phillips (@tracyjoyphillips) The bathhouse's thin-edged windows frame the dramatic greenery outside, designed to blur the line between inside and out. 'Unlike the more predictable and picturesque mountain or seaside contexts of Japanese, Nordic or Mediterranean, this site was raw – lush, humid, layered, and pulsed with the essence of the tropics; unpredictable, immersive, and rich in biodiversity. And it was exactly this unfiltered vitality that inspired our approach,' said Pan. The botanical landscaping by Pudica features tropical plants native to Dempsey Hill's secondary forest – ferns, philodendrons, palms, and understorey foliage – that thrive in the humid, dappled light within the bathhouse. The plants are placed with natural spontaneity: some nestled into crevices, others elevated on ledges, and some appear precariously balanced in pots, evoking nature's quiet reclamation of man-made space. This approach mirrors the adaptive reuse of the former military barrack, where the old and new, the natural and constructed, coexist without domination. Nowhere Baths prioritises inclusivity with a gender-neutral space, swimwear required in shared areas, and full wheelchair accessibility, including step-free entry and accessible bathrooms. The founders' previous experience hosting para-athletes at Palm Avenue informed their vision of a space for all A NEW ERA OF COMMUNAL WELLNESS Nowhere Baths is part of a small but growing wave of holistic wellness and bathing experiences in Singapore, joining establishments like Yunomori Onsen and Spa in Kallang, Hideaway in New Bahru, Trapeze Rec Club, and The Ice Bar Club. This resurgence of bathhouses, both locally and globally, reflects a renewed appreciation for traditional cultural practices. Internationally, bathhouses are making a comeback, with places like Othership, Bathhouse and Remedy Place in the United States take the spotlight, the founders point out. While many global bathhouses lean into sleek luxury or sensual appeal, positioning themselves as trendy spots for romance, Nowhere focuses on fostering slowness and stillness. Chan believes people seek mindful connections in these "new social wellness spaces," whether through self-reflection or shared experiences. Inspired by bathhouse cultures that promote mindfulness and spiritual living, Nowhere's founders want to foster that in Singapore too. 'Bathing teaches you how to be present with others in a thoughtful way,' Foo said. By respecting the sacredness of the space, you care for yourself and those around you.' FROM NOWHERE TO HERE Two hours slip by, and I reluctantly peel myself from the bath, sinking into the lounge with a cup of hot ginger tea. Soft music hums in the background, and the space feels like someone's thoughtfully designed living room. My body feels light and restored, grounded by the warm timber underfoot. It's a slow return to myself. Outside, rain lashes the roof in a steady rhythm. The cold fogs up the windows, conjuring images of winter. We're momentarily trapped, but no one's in a hurry to rejoin the mad hullabaloo of the outside world. Around me, others sit in silence, mellowed, simply being. It brings to mind a favourite reference by the team at Nowhere Baths. In artist Leonard Koren's words: 'A vacation that consists of standing still… the utterly simple alchemy that turns us back into ourselves.' For this brief moment, we are all nowhere, and perfectly so.
The Independent
09-05-2025
- The Independent
These are the beaches with the dirtiest water in England
Several popular English beaches, including those in Cornwall, Devon, and Lancashire, have received a "poor" water quality rating from the Environment Agency due to the presence of faecal matter. The Environment Agency's annual tests analyse bacteria levels in bathing waters to assess their quality, assigning classifications ranging from "excellent" to "poor". Beaches with a "poor" rating will display signs advising against bathing, but remain open for public use. Out of 455 tested bathing waters in England, 37 were classified as "poor" in 2024, with 19 of those being beaches, including Lyme Regis Church Cliff Beach in Dorset, Porthluney in Cornwall, and Bunster Beach in Somerset. Lancashire ranked lowest among counties, with none of its bathing spots achieving an "excellent" rating, while Northumberland excelled with over 90 per cent of its beaches achieving the highest rating.
