Following the 2025 DEFRA bathing water classifications, we are sharing an update on storm overflow performance associated with bathing waters across England for the 2025 season (15 May to 30 September). This year has seen an overall improvement: both the …
As bathing water designation has expanded to reflect the places where people now swim, paddle and enjoy the water recreationally, more inland sites are being formally recognised.
The Environment Agency published the 2025 Bathing Water Classifications earlier today, Tuesday 25 November.
As the weather is warming and more people are heading outside to enjoy beaches, rivers and lakes, we’re starting our regular monitoring of bathing waters. Between now and the end of September, millions of people will head to bathing waters …
The Environment Agency has analysed Event Duration Monitoring (EDM) data on storm overflows associated with bathing waters across England for 2024. This regulatory data, bolstered as 100% of storm overflows are now fitted with event duration monitors, is a vital …
There are more than 450 designated bathing waters across England. The Environment Agency is responsible for monitoring, improving, and maintaining water quality at all designated bathing waters. Importantly, designation also means that information is provided to the public to help …
The Environment Agency conducts weekly sampling during the bathing water season, which spans from May to September. Across the UK, there are 424 designated bathing water sites, 49 of these sit within Wessex. Each one of these sites is …
2. Between May and September, millions of people head to bathing waters to swim, which is why the Environment Agency monitors the quality of the water during this period. Today we have published the annual results for 2023 season.
5. The blog is an overall summary to explain what the bathing water season is, how and why the Environment Agency takes water samples, an explanation of the pollution risk forecasting service and the new bathing water designation sites.
Field Officer Ruth talks about our work sampling bathing water.
