Swim England welcomes introduction of new bathing water reforms

Swim England and Clean Water Sports Alliance partners have welcomed new bathing water reforms,  which could see the definition of ‘bather’ include other water sports as well as swimming for the first time.

The Government is also planning to introduce multiple monitoring points at each bathing water location as part of a change to regulations – the first since 2013.

It means recreational water users like paddlers, surfers, sailors and rowers – and not just swimmers – will benefit from better water quality at bathing water locations.

Swim England is a member of the Clean Water Sports Alliance, which has been campaigning for these changes.

The new bathing water rules, the first update in more than a decade, will also include removing fixed season dates from regulations.

Water quality and public health will be prioritised at new bathing water sites.

Applications for new bathing waters in England will re-open in May, and those sites will be assessed against the Government’s newly reformed standards, set to become law later this year.

Phil Brownlie, Head of Public Affairs at Swim England, said: “Swim England and our partners in the Clean Water Sports Alliance have long been lobbying the Government to modernise bathing water regulations.

“We welcome the Government’s announcement and recognition of the value of our blue spaces and the part they play in helping to keep the nation healthy and happy.

“We will continue to push hard to ensure that our blue spaces are pollution free for future generations, but the bathing water reforms are a step in the right direction.”

Pride of local communities

A public consultation was launched, in 2024, in a bid to modernise bathing waters rules, of which there are 550 in England and Wales.

The Government said members of the public, environmental groups, farmers, businesses and local authorities showed clear support for modernising bathing water regulations.

Defra will work closely with the Environment Agency to ensure the new measures are implemented effectively and ensure everyone has the opportunity to safely access bathing waters.

Water Minister Emma Hardy said: “Bathing water sites are the pride of local communities across the country.

“But things can only get cleaner. We must go further and faster to open up our waterways for families to enjoy.

“The Government is upgrading outdated regulations, so they are fit for purpose.

“It is also why we are re-opening applications for new bathing sites in England, so that more people have the opportunity to experience the benefits of our beautiful waters.”

Updating bathing water regulations is part of a government action plan to tackle our water system.

Other measures include banning bonuses for polluting water bosses through the Water (Special Measures) Act and ring-fencing customer money for vital infrastructure projects.