Updated app now includes real-time data on water quality of country's rivers

An app which provides real-time information about the water quality of seas around the country is including details on rivers for the first time.

Surfers Against Sewage has updated its Safer Seas Service – and renamed it Safe Seas and Rivers Service.

Swim England has voiced its support for the updated app, which helps swimmers, beach goers and others track pollution events.

Several rivers, including the River Dee and Warleigh Weir in Somerset and the River Wharfe, in Ilkley, Yorkshire – which is the UK’s first river to be given ‘Bathing Water’ status – plus a number of streams in South West England have been initially included.

Jane Nickerson, Swim England chief executive, welcomed the update and hoped more inland waters would be added in the near future.

She said: “With more and more people enjoying our rivers, this is a welcome step in enabling better access to accurate, real-time information on the risks of entering open water.

Warmly welcomed

“I commend Surfers Against Sewage for this welcome update to the Safer Seas and River Service, which will be warmly welcomed by lovers of open water and be a valuable tool in them finding safe places to swim.

“I look forward to seeing more inland waterways added in due course.

“Of course, Surfers Against Sewage being able to cover a specific location relies on the water quality data being available.

“That is why we’re continuing to campaign for improvements in reporting on water quality as part of the #EndSewagePollution coalition.

“There are some positive measures in the Government’s Environment Bill but more needs to be done.”

To download the app, search for ‘Safer Seas & Rivers Service’ within your app store, while more more information can also be found at www.sas.org.uk/safer-seas-service/