A “one size fits all” approach to designating a river or beach as a bathing water is to end as part of water quality reforms in England and Wales.

Adam Vaughan www.thetimes.com 

In future the presence of users other than swimmers, for instance kayakers or paddleboarders, could be taken as evidence that a river or beach should become a bathing water.

Places that attract cold-water enthusiasts could also benefit. The government is proposing that water tests can be conducted at different times of the year, rather than just in summer.

“Bathing-water sites are the pride of local communities,” Emma Hardy, the water and flooding minister, said. “But the current system is not working for those who enjoy our bathing waters and reform is long overdue.”

New bathing waters are usually designated by officials who assess applications put forward by communities that are able to show a location is well used. The criteria include whether there are toilets nearby.

At present, officials working for the Environment Agency or Natural Resources Wales test water between May and September. Sites are then rated excellent, good, sufficient or poor. That last rating means the water does not meet the minimum standard and signs will be placed to deter swimmers.

The government’s proposals will mean that the most-polluted waterways, with run-off from industry or farms, are less likely to be named as bathing waters. Locations will only be considered if experts believe they can be improved to “sufficient”. The theory is that the change will avoid wasting money on attempted designation.

Bathing waters will not lose the designation if water quality is deemed poor for five years in a row. This recognises that it can take longer than five years to make changes, such as building infrastructure to curb sewage spills.

Another reform will recognise the popularity of all-year cold water swimming. If a location is used all year round then officials could work with local people to conduct tests outside the usual May to September period. The frequency of testing will not reduce.

Amy Fairman, of the campaign group River Action, said: “These are steps in the right direction, but the application process must be made much easier and water company permits must be reviewed to increase water quality standards or they will continue to pollute for profit.”

There are 650 designated bathing waters in England and Wales. Last year 66.4 per cent were rated excellent, 23.4 per cent good, 5.9 per cent sufficient and 4.3 per cent poor. Most of the locations are beaches — all those on rivers were rated poor. In February the Conservative government said more than 20 rivers were set to be named as bathing waters. Figures for this year are expected this month.

Officials gave no date for when reform could take effect. With only five months until the next bathing season begins, changes are unlikely to be introduced until at least 2026.