13 March 2025

by Joanna Richardson

This week the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, together with the Welsh Government, published the outcome of their joint consultation on proposed changes to Bathing Water Regulations (2013) in English and Welsh waters.

The regulations are important as, following designation of ‘bathing waters’ as “excellent, good, sufficient or poor” coastal and inland waters are monitored for water quality by the Environment Agency in England and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) in Wales respectively.  The information is then used by local authorities to inform public health messaging on risks associated with the waters and identify where improvements in water quality are required.

In responding to the consultation British Marine highlighted the fact that recreational water usage not only includes bathing but also boating and other watersports. Moreover in and on the water activities occur throughout the year, including both during and outside of the current regulated period of May to September.  Therefore we welcome this week’s news that the Government will remove those fixed dates from the regulations and provide guidance to allow the Environment Agency and NRW to adapt dates to better suit local needs.  

As water pollution poses a threat to the on-going success of the UK marine industry, British Marine called for these regulations to not only cover bathers but also small boat users and watersports participants such as paddle boarders.  We are pleased to report the Government has now confirmed it will begin policy development and research to take this proposal forward and will work in collaboration with national stakeholders.

A further positive outcome from the consultation is that DEFRA and NRW has agreed to  bring an end to the automatic de-designation of bathing water status. Currently this occurs after five consecutive years of a site being rated ‘poor’.  That outdated regulatory approach has more often encouraged inaction, with automatic de-designation happening irrespective of improvements underway which can undermine the marine tourism offer in an area.

For further information please see gov.uk.