‘Don’t swim’ advice at 12 of UK’s 14 designated river swimming spots

Although 12 of the 14 existing river swimming areas are unusable due to pollution, six river swimming areas will be officially designated as swimming areas by the government this summer.

Signs advising people to stay away from water was founded Following testing at these 12 sites, concerns were raised about contamination from bacteria associated with human and animal feces; This indicates that sewage and/or agricultural runoff is polluting the water.

The warnings come after the government confirmed six new river locations will be monitored for the first time this season, including the first on the River Thames in London.

government records to show Among river bathing areas, only the River Stour in Suffolk and part of the River Thames in Oxfordshire were found to meet acceptable standards last year. Water quality at the remaining 12 waters was rated “poor” and swimmers were advised to avoid entering the water. Samples are taken to measure water quality from May to September, and annual ratings classify each area as excellent, good, adequate or poor.

Meanwhile, during the BBC’s visit to these areas, it was revealed that signs warning “against swimming” had been erected.

The new designations form part of a wider expansion with a total of 13 new swimming areas, bringing the number of monitored locations to over 460 across the UK. Most are coastal, but there are a growing number of freshwater lakes and rivers. The Environment Agency will publish test results online throughout the season.

To qualify as a swimming area, locations must meet criteria such as a large number of swimmers and access to restroom facilities. Although coastal water quality is generally stronger, inland rivers remain vulnerable to sewage discharges and agricultural runoff.

Campaigners say the designation has become one of the most effective tools to force water companies to reduce sewage leaks. One called it “crazy” I think the best way to clean a polluted river is to make it suitable for swimming.

Announcing the new areas, Water Minister Emma Hardy said the expansion would mean “better monitoring of our waterways, supporting local tourism and greater confidence for local swimmers”.

“After years of indifference to bathing water, this government has expanded the number of sites as part of our overhaul of the water sector. We are committed to reforming our water industry for generations and will not stop until the job is done,” he added.

When asked to comment on the poor performance track record at existing river bathing grounds across the country, Defra did not comment. Independentbut it addresses guidance stating that “rivers face a greater challenge than coastal locations in meeting swimming standards”.

This is because the salt water in the sea acts as a natural disinfectant and fecal matter disperses easily. Meanwhile, rivers are connected to sewage works outflows as well as emergency storm overflows that can carry untreated sewage directly into waterways.

But water companies have warned that designating areas before they are declared safe poses a risk to the public, who could be misled by new swimming area designations. A Water UK spokesperson said: Independent: “Designating an area as bathing water without making it suitable for bathing and without a plan to clean it up risks confusing the public who would rightly believe it is safe to swim there.”

The Environment Agency said its officers will carry out more than 7,000 tests at more than 460 bathing waters this summer. Chairman Alan Lovell urged swimmers to check water quality before entering rivers or the sea, adding that the increasing number of designations reflected “the importance communities place on their local environment and water quality”.