Latest news with #bathingseason
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Water testing under way in South East as bathing season begins
The Environment Agency has begun testing water quality across the South East following the start of the official bathing season. Speaking to the BBC in Hythe, Kent, Lindsay Faulkner of the Environment Agency said they were looking for bacteria, such as that could "make people ill". It comes as the government body was advising against bathing in Bognor Regis, Worthing and Bexhill in Sussex, as well as Littlestone, Dymchurch and Deal in Kent due to poor water quality on Friday. However, the majority of designated bathing zones were classified by the Environment Agency as having good or excellent water quality. Record sewage spills Ms Faulkner said there were "multiple reasons" why water bacteria levels might be high, such as human and animal sewage or agricultural run-off."We're working with local authorities, water companies and community groups to help identify sources of pollution and put a stop to them," she added. Water companies spilt raw sewage for a record time of 3.61 million hours into seas and rivers in England in 2024, according to Environment Agency data. Southern Water customers 'disgusted' by bill hike Southern Water, a major water supplier in the region, along with South East Water and Thames Water, said protecting and enhancing water quality was "so important" to the company. "Over the last 30 years, the quality of our bathing waters has risen from only 28% meeting public health standards to 84% now rated as 'good' or 'excellent'," it water company added it would spend £1bn a year on environmental improvement over the next five years. Ms Faulkner said in some bathing zones sources of pollution were "really easy" to spot as it could be one pipe causing a problem."But the situation here [in the Dymchurch area of Kent] is that there are multiple sources," she added. "It appears to be diffuse pollution." The bathing season officially started on 15 May and will run until the end of September. During this time, the Environment Agency has said it would be taking more than 7,000 samples at 451 designated bathing waters across England.
Irish Times
16-05-2025
- General
- Irish Times
Blue flags: Record number of Irish beaches and marinas win award for 2025
A record 149 beaches and 10 marinas across Ireland have been awarded a blue flag for this year's bathing season by the environmental group An Taisce . The international blue flag programme requires that beaches and marinas awarded the blue flag for the upcoming season have achieved 'excellent' bathing water quality in the most recent annual classification. A total of 10 beaches achieved both a blue flag and a green coast award, while a record-equalling 70 beaches received the green coast award for 2025, which recognises beaches for their clean environment, excellent water quality and natural beauty. Such sites are classified as exceptional places to visit and enjoy Ireland's rich coastal heritage and diversity. Dual award recipients were: Balcarrick in Fingal, Co Dublin ; Salthill and Silver strand in Galway city, An Trá on Inis Oírr, Co Galway; Fountainstown and Inchydoney beach east in Co Cork ; Baile an Sceilg (Ballinskelligs) in Co Kerry ; Bettystown, Co Meath , and Enniscrone and Rosses Point in Co Sligo . READ MORE The only beach to lose it blue flag was Golden strand on Achill Island, Co Mayo , which was due to an accessibility issue. The blue flags total represents an increase of five on last year. The marina at Greencastle, Co Donegal , got back blue flag status, while Cappagh pier, Co Clare , Ballymoney north beach, Co Wexford and Counsellors' strand in Dunmore East and Tramore beach in Co Waterford regained their blue flags because their water quality improved to 'excellent'after losing them last year. The award flags were presented by Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne at an event in Curracloe, Co Wexford, on Friday. 'Given that the blue flag programme is an internationally recognised symbol of high standards in water quality, environmental management, environmental education and safety, I am honoured to present a record number of awards,' he said. The country had come a long way from 1988 when 19 beaches and two marinas were recognised with blue flags, he said. 'This didn't happen by magic. Great credit must go to local authorities, An Taisce, coastal communities and particularly all those local volunteers who have worked tirelessly around the country to keep so many of our coastal areas, beaches and marinas in pristine condition for us all to enjoy.' Cathy Baxter, director of education and community action at An Taisce, congratulated the local authorities, marina operators and clean coasts groups responsible for managing the awarded sites to the standards required. With 15, Kerry is the county with most blue flags, while Cork has the most green coast awards (14). Céibh an Spidéal in Co Galway has been awarded a blue flag for the first time since 2012, while Keel beach on Achill Island has been awarded one for the 37th consecutive year, confirming the status each season since it was first awarded. The blue flag and green coast programmes are supported by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The green coast awards promote involvement of voluntary clean coasts groups, who participate in community clean-ups and help manage applicant beaches in co-operation with local authorities. Its main purpose is to foster partnerships within communities in an effort to protect and enhance local coastal environs.
The Independent
15-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
Concerns over water quality and reforms as bathing season begins in England
Bathing season has kicked off in England with campaigners raising concerns about the Government's planned reforms and protesters calling for more action on sewage pollution. The Environment Agency starts testing water quality at designated bathing waters on Thursday – the start of the official season, which runs from May 15 to the end of September. Applications for new bathing sites are also reopening for the first time since October 2023. Wild swimming has surged in popularity across the UK in recent years but the rises in sewage discharges and pollution have also made many blue spaces unsafe. In response to widespread public anger, the Government announced reforms to bathing water regulations earlier this year, which include changes to designation criteria for future sites, more flexible seasons, and an expansion of the legal definition of 'bather'. But the Marine Conservation Society is warning the reforms could leave swimmers more at risk from poor water quality, reduce the number of newly designated sites, and shorten rather than lengthen the season, leading to less monitoring. Meanwhile, thousands of water users around the UK plan to stage a nationwide protest against sewage pollution on Saturday by paddling out into water at dozens of locations. To monitor water quality, the Environment Agency said it plans to take more than 7,000 samples at 451 designated bathing sites across England throughout this year's season. Results from lab tests will be uploaded on to Swimfo to help the public decide where to swim, and will be ultimately used to classify the quality of each site as 'excellent', 'good', 'sufficient' or 'poor' at the end of the season. Environment Agency chairman Alan Lovell said: 'The information from those tests helps us keep people safe, target our regulation and encourage investment to drive up water quality standards. 'It's part of our core commitment to protect people and the environment.' But the Marine Conservation Society said the reforms fail to address concerns over sampling, as it claimed 103 water samples were excluded from water quality assessments during the 2024 season. Under current rules in England, samples taken during short-term pollution events or 'abnormal situations' such as sewage spills can be removed from those used to make the final site classifications, the team said, adding this risks the health of swimmers and other water users. Rachel Wyatt, Marine Conservation Society policy and advocacy manager, said: 'We are concerned that if the UK and Welsh governments go ahead with the reforms as planned, it will undermine the spirit of the bathing water regulations to protect the health of water users. 'Any site that is well used recreationally should be designated as a bathing water, and sampling practices should be reviewed as soon as possible. 'Timeframes must also be set for delivery of wider reforms, to ensure that all water users are protected, not just swimmers.' The Government will also face further anger over water pollution as people flock to more than 40 locations across the country on Saturday for the 'Paddle-Out Protests' co-ordinated by Surfers Against Sewage (SAS). The protesters will call for total reform of the water industry in England and Wales, and clearer monitoring and transparency of the sewage crisis in Scotland and Northern Ireland. It comes as the Independent Water Commission reviews its evidence before making recommendations to Government on reforming the water industry in England and Wales. Giles Bristow, SAS chief executive, said: 'The thousands paddling out across the UK are letting the water companies, Government and Independent Water Commission know, loud and clear, that we will not accept another year of risking our health to swim in the sea.' Water minister Emma Hardy said: 'Our bathing waters across the country are a great source of pride. 'That is why this Government is committed to protecting them. Our landmark Water Act includes new powers to ban bonuses for polluting water bosses and to bring criminal charges against them if they break the law. 'A record £104 billion in private investment has also been secured to upgrade and build new sewage pipes to help clean up our waterways for good as part of the government's plan for change.'
The Independent
14-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Fears water quality reforms ‘could leave swimmers more at risk'
England's bathing season has begun, but amidst the excitement, concerns are rising about the government 's proposed reforms to bathing water regulations. As the Environment Agency commences its water quality testing at designated sites, campaigners warn the changes could expose swimmers to greater risks. The official bathing season, running from May 15 to September 30, coincides with the reopening of applications for new bathing sites. This marks the first opportunity for communities to apply since October 2023. The surge in wild swimming 's popularity underscores the importance of clean and safe waters, but increased sewage discharges and pollution have jeopardised many blue spaces. Public outcry over these issues prompted the government to announce reforms earlier this year. These include revisions to the criteria for designating new bathing sites, greater flexibility in season lengths, and a broader legal definition of "bather." However, the Marine Conservation Society argues these reforms could have unintended negative consequences. The society warns that the changes could actually decrease the number of new designated sites and shorten, rather than lengthen, the bathing season. This, they argue, would lead to less frequent monitoring and potentially expose swimmers to poorer water quality. As the season gets underway, the debate over these reforms continues, highlighting the tension between public enjoyment of natural spaces and the urgent need to protect water quality. Meanwhile, thousands of water users around the UK plan to stage a nationwide protest against sewage pollution on Saturday by paddling out into water at dozens of locations. To monitor water quality, the Environment Agency said it plans to take more than 7,000 samples at 451 designated bathing sites across England throughout this year's season. Results from lab tests will be uploaded on to Swimfo to help the public decide where to swim, and will be ultimately used to classify the quality of each site as 'excellent', 'good', 'sufficient' or 'poor' at the end of the season. Environment Agency chairman Alan Lovell said: 'The information from those tests helps us keep people safe, target our regulation and encourage investment to drive up water quality standards. 'It's part of our core commitment to protect people and the environment.' But the Marine Conservation Society said the reforms fail to address concerns over sampling, as it claimed 103 water samples were excluded from water quality assessments during the 2024 season. Under current rules in England, samples taken during short-term pollution events or 'abnormal situations' such as sewage spills can be removed from those used to make the final site classifications, the team said, adding this risks the health of swimmers and other water users. Rachel Wyatt, Marine Conservation Society policy and advocacy manager, said: 'We are concerned that if the UK and Welsh governments go ahead with the reforms as planned, it will undermine the spirit of the bathing water regulations to protect the health of water users. 'Any site that is well used recreationally should be designated as a bathing water, and sampling practices should be reviewed as soon as possible. 'Timeframes must also be set for delivery of wider reforms, to ensure that all water users are protected, not just swimmers.' The Government will also face further anger over water pollution as people flock to more than 40 locations across the country on Saturday for the 'Paddle-Out Protests' co-ordinated by Surfers Against Sewage (SAS). The protesters will call for total reform of the water industry in England and Wales, and clearer monitoring and transparency of the sewage crisis in Scotland and Northern Ireland. It comes as the Independent Water Commission reviews its evidence before making recommendations to Government on reforming the water industry in England and Wales. Giles Bristow, SAS chief executive, said: 'The thousands paddling out across the UK are letting the water companies, Government and Independent Water Commission know, loud and clear, that we will not accept another year of risking our health to swim in the sea.' Water minister Emma Hardy said: 'Our bathing waters across the country are a great source of pride. 'That is why this Government is committed to protecting them. Our landmark Water Act includes new powers to ban bonuses for polluting water bosses and to bring criminal charges against them if they break the law. 'A record £104 billion in private investment has also been secured to upgrade and build new sewage pipes to help clean up our waterways for good as part of the government's plan for change.'
