What did the Environment Agency say about East England's coastal water quality?

The Environment Agency stated that coastal water quality in East England has improved hugely, with all 35 tested sites meeting minimum standards.

Which East England coastal areas showed improvement in water quality?

Areas like Heacham, Wells-next-the-Sea, Hunstanton Main, Caister-on-Sea in Norfolk, and Holland-on-Sea, Manningtree, and Jaywick in Essex showed improvements.

Are campaign groups satisfied with the bathing water results in East England?

No, Surfers Against Sewage called for more testing, describing the results as 'dangerously out of touch with reality'.

Home / Environment / East England Coast Water Quality Soars

East England Coast Water Quality Soars

5 Dec, 2025

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Summary

All 35 bathing water sites in East England met minimum standards.
Coastal water quality in the East of England has improved hugely.
Campaigners urge more testing, calling results 'out of touch'.

The Environment Agency has reported a substantial improvement in coastal water quality across the East of England over the last twenty years. Recent assessments confirm that all 35 bathing water locations within the region have successfully met the minimum required standards for water quality.

Several notable areas have experienced marked enhancements, including popular spots like Heacham, Wells-next-the-Sea, Hunstanton Main, and Caister-on-Sea in Norfolk. Coastal towns in Essex, such as Holland-on-Sea, Manningtree, and Jaywick, also feature among the locations demonstrating significant progress.

While the EA’s water manager, Andrew Raine, expressed reassurance for swimmers, a prominent campaign group, Surfers Against Sewage, has voiced concerns. They are advocating for increased testing frequency and scope, suggesting the current findings do not accurately reflect the real-world conditions.