Activists are expressing dismay over the government’s proposed changes to the system for granting bathing water status, claiming that the reforms would make it difficult for rivers to attain such protections. The updates, introduced on Wednesday, demand a feasibility test for any waterway applying for the designation. If the water’s quality is not up to “sufficient” standards or has no chance of improving to that level, it will not receive the designation. River advocates argue that this new restriction will likely prevent many river locations from obtaining bathing water status, since no English river is currently in good health due to sewage and agricultural contamination, issues which require significant investment and time to address. The EU-derived bathing water rules are leveraged by campaigners to advocate for the purification of rivers polluted by sewage and agriculture. The status entails stringent checks by the Environment Agency to assess fecal pollution. Critics, such as Becky Malby from the Ilkley Clean River Group, argue that the feasibility test could leave many English rivers without vital water quality information and without the need to meet the requirements for bathers’ safety. Chris Coode of the environmental charity Thames21 supports some other proposed reforms but criticizes the new feasibility test for potentially hindering improvements and safety measures in rivers. Surfers Against Sewage also denounces the feasibility test as a blow to communities seeking to secure their local water bodies for safe recreational use. The government contends that the changes aim to protect public health by ensuring sites of “poor” status are only fully designated if it is practical and proportional to achieve “sufficient” water quality. The updates also broaden the definition of “bathers” to include participants in watersports and extend the bathing season year-round. Water Minister Emma Hardy emphasizes that the priority is safety and cleanliness for all families who want to enjoy their local waterways. Applications for bathing water status, currently under review, are expected to reopen in May.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/12/changes-to-bathing-water-status-test-will-deny-rivers-protection-say-critics