Defra and the Welsh Government are consulting on modernising the Bathing Water Regulations 2013. Water minister Emma Hardy told Parliament: “We recognise that the way the public interacts with bathing waters has changed, driven by the increasing popularity of wild swimming and other water-based activities.”
The proposed changes, which will benefit a wide group of water users, included:
Removal of fixed bathing water season dates (which currently run from May to September) from the regulations to allow for a more flexible approach to monitoring.
Expanding the legal definition of ‘bathers’ to include participants in water sports other than swimming, including paddle boarders and surfers.
Further considering water quality and public safety when applications for new bathing waters are assessed.
Introducing multiple testing points at bathing water sites.
Ending the automatic de-designation of bathing water status after five consecutive years of a site being rated ‘poor’. Instead, underperforming sites will be individually reviewed by regulators, taking into account their unique circumstances.
The consultation was announced as the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) published a report on the implementation of the current bathing water regulations. This found the regulatory regime in place is being followed, but that it is outdated — requirements have not kept pace with the changing ways rivers, lakes and coastal waters are used for recreation.
The OEP made 12 recommendations, many of which are covered in the new consultation. This runs until 23 December, and the Government’s response will come in the new year. The Government also has three months to respond to the OEP’s report.
Comments