Official Swim Sites Issue Health Warnings

Nearly all of England's official river bathing sites are now displaying signs advising against swimming, citing concerns over water safety. The Environment Agency has revealed that 12 out of 14 existing inland river locations tested last year were rated as having "poor" water quality. Only the River Stour in Suffolk and a site on the River Thames in Oxfordshire met acceptable standards.

Six new river bathing sites will undergo monitoring this summer, bringing the total number of regularly tested locations to over 460, with an increasing number on rivers and lakes. Campaigners assert that the designation process, which mandates water testing, is crucial for pressuring water companies to reduce sewage spills. Water Minister Emma Hardy stated that new bathing sites enhance waterway monitoring and boost local tourism.

However, Water UK, representing water companies, expressed concern that designating sites before they are safe could confuse the public. The River Wharfe at Ilkley, designated in 2020, has consistently rated "poor," with high E.coli levels after rain. Yorkshire Water is investing £60 million to mitigate sewage flow into the river. Activists like Karen Shackleton and Di Leary emphasize that designation drives investment by highlighting poor water quality.

Similar situations are occurring in Shropshire, where three designated bathing sites on the River Severn and River Teme have also rated "poor." Despite this, local advocates like Alison Biddulph continue to use these sites, noting that the increased focus leads to daily water quality monitoring and unlocks investment objectives for water companies. They acknowledge the seemingly paradoxical approach of encouraging swimming in polluted waters to drive cleanup efforts.