Just two bathing spots in rivers in England have been deemed safe to swim in as campaigners warn Labour has “gone backwards” on demands for 100 clean river bathing sites by 2030.
Popular swimming spots in waterways including the River Avon and River Severn were rated “poor” on the latest bathing water classifications issued by the Environment Agency (EA) on Tuesday.
Of the 14 official bathing spots on rivers, just two were deemed safe to swim: Friars Meadow on the River Stour achieved a “good” rating and Wallingford Beach on the River Thames was rated “sufficient”.
James Wallace, CEO of River Action, said the results were “deeply concerning” and “show that swimming in our inland bathing waters carries significant health risks”.
There are 449 official bathing spots in England which the EA monitors for water quality. The vast majority of these are on the coast, with a small number in lakes and rivers.
Overall 392 (87 per cent) of bathing spots were rated “excellent” or “good”, a slight improvement on last year. A total of 25 (5.6 per cent) were rated sufficient and 32 (7.1 per cent) were rated poor.
The classification is related to the levels of bacteria found in the water over the previous four bathing seasons, which runs from May until September.
The EA measures levels of E. coli and intestinal enterococci, which are found in sewage and agricultural runoff.
The i Paper has called on the Government to introduce 100 clean bathing spots in rivers by 2030 as part of its Save Britain’s Rivers campaign.
The campaign has been backed by over 20 leading environmental charities, including the National Trust, Wildlife Trusts, River Action and Surfers Against Sewage.
No new swim spots have been approved since Labour came into power as the Government has been amending the bathing water regulations. The new regulations came into force last month and the Government is expected to announce a slew of new bathing spots in the Spring.
However, campaigners warn the new rules will make it harder for rivers to achieve bathing status due to tougher criteria that means applicants must now be able to prove a bathing spot has the potential to achieve “sufficient” status before being approved.
Bathing status means that the EA has a duty to test the water for bacteria and to make these results available to the public. Testing is typically done on a weekly basis during the bathing season.
Local campaign groups have been trying to use the regulations as a mechanism to gain more information about their local river and clean it up, but warn the new rules mean more rivers will struggle to get official status.
“The Government has an opportunity to make real, positive changes. They’ve just gone backwards,” said Kirsty Davies, community water quality manager at Surfers Against Sewage.
Surfers Against Sewage has called for 200 bathing waters in rivers and lakes by 2030, but Davies said the new rules mean “that will not be achieved”.
She said: “The Government has told us they’re ambitious and they want to see more inland bathing waters, but introducing a feasibility study will be absolutely detrimental for that target.”
It’s understood the EA is finding it more difficult to improve the water quality of river bathing sites compared to coastal areas as rivers are more connected to sources of pollution, whether that be sewage, agriculture or urban run-off.
In March, The i Paper revealed internal EA investigations had found traces of human, cow and sheep faeces at two river sites that were the first to gain official designation.
Wallace said it was “worrying” that England only has 35 inland bathing sites when France has over 1,200 – of which 70 per cent are rated excellent.
“The stark contrast exposes how far we lag behind on freshwater protection and public health,” he said.
Your next read
square WORLDUS claims Ukraine agrees to Trump’s peace plan – as Russia hints at rejecting it
square POLITICSCycle to work salary sacrifice perk set to be capped – here’s who could be affected
square ENVIRONMENT Exclusive£700m nuclear conservation plan would save one salmon every 12 years
square POLITICS ExclusivePlan to install heat pumps in most homes in jeopardy over cuts to £7,500 grants
Aggie Hodges, bathing water development officer at environmental charity Thames21, said it was “great news” that Wallingford Beach was rated sufficient and she hopes it the result could “demonstrate that healthy rivers are within reach”.
Alan Lovell, chair of the EA, said: “Bathing water quality in England has improved significantly over recent decades, and this year’s results show the continued impact of strong regulation, investment and partnership working.
“But we know there is more to do, and the new bathing water reforms will strengthen the way these much-loved places are managed.”
Hence then, the article about england has just two clean river bathing spots despite calls for 100 by 2030 was published today ( ) and is available on inews ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( England has just two clean river bathing spots – despite calls for 100 by 2030 )
Also on site :
- Tornado warning issued, and quickly cancelled, over Alhambra
- Governor Hochul: Annual statewide donation drive is complete
- Skier dies in collision with tree at Colorado’s Aspen Mountain, resort officials confirm