2023 Statistics on English coastal and inland bathing waters: A summary of compliance with the 2013 bathing water regulations
Updated 6 December 2023
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2023
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/bathing-water-quality-statistics/2023-statistics-on-english-coastal-and-inland-bathing-waters-a-summary-of-compliance-with-the-2013-bathing-water-regulations
Responsible Statistician: Stuart Homann (Environment Agency)
Any enquiries regarding this publication should be sent to us at:
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Seacole House,
2 Marsham Street, London,
SW1P 4DF
Public enquiries (email): enviro.statistics@defra.gov.uk
Media enquiries: 020 7238 6479
These results summarise the compliance of coastal and inland bathing waters for England in 2023. Datasets on compliance for coastal and inland bathing waters in England are available to download
1. Headline results
In 2023, out of the 423 bathing waters measured in England, 405 (95.7 per cent) met at least the minimum standard of the Bathing Water Regulations.
In 2023, 281 bathing waters in England (66.4 per cent) met the Excellent standard of the Bathing Water Regulations.
In 2023, 18 bathing waters in England (4.3 per cent) did not meet the minimum standard, and were classified as Poor.
2. Context
For every designated bathing water in England, the Environment Agency monitors Escherichia coli and intestinal enterococci in the water, throughout the bathing season (15 May to 30 September). Values can vary depending on the weather, pollution from agricultural and urban sources, storm water overflows, amongst other factors. The readings taken over the last four bathing seasons then determine the annual classification for that water.
Due to Coronavirus restrictions, there was no classification during the 2020 bathing water season. The 2023 classification results cover the period from 2019 to 2023, over a five year period, while still maintaining only the last four bathing seasons (namely 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023).
Prior to the start of the 2023 season, one bathing water was de-designated, with an additional four waters designated at the start of the season. This brings the total number of designated bathing waters in England to 424. There was one bathing water unassessed due to access issues.
The classifications are:
- Excellent – the highest, cleanest class
- Good – generally good water quality
- Sufficient – the water quality meets the minimum standard
- Poor – the water quality has not met the minimum standard.
3. Analysis
Bathing Water Classification: England
Source: Environment Agency (EA)
Those bathing waters meeting the highest standard, Excellent, has dropped to the levels seen in 2017 and 2018. The number of Poor bathing waters rose to the highest level since adopting the four-tier classification system in 2015; 4.3 per cent of all bathing waters in England.
Bathing Water Classification: England
| Bathing water Classification: England | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bathing waters assessed |
415 | 413 | 413 | 420 | 420 | N/C | 417 | 419 | 423 | |
| Excellent | 264 63.6% |
287 69.5% |
271 65.6% |
282 67.1% |
302 71.9% |
N/C | 295 70.7% |
302 72.1% |
281 66.4% |
|
| Good | 110 26.5% |
98 23.7% |
109 26.4% |
106 25.2% |
90 21.4% |
N/C | 100 24.0% |
87 20.8% |
99 23.4% |
|
| Sufficient | 29 7.0% |
22 5.3% |
26 6.3% |
23 5.5% |
21 5.0% |
N/C | 18 4.3% |
18 4.3% |
25 5.9% |
|
| Poor | 12 2.9% |
6 1.5% |
7 1.7% |
9 2.1% |
7 1.7% |
N/C | 4 1.0% |
12 2.9% |
18 4.3% |
The percentages may not appear to add to 100% due to rounding.
4. Background information
These statistics have been produced to the high professional standards set out in the Code of Practice for Official Statistics, which sets out eight principles including meeting user needs, impartiality and objectivity, integrity, sound methods and assured quality, frankness and accessibility. More information on the Official Statistics Code of Practice.
To help those deciding where to swim, information is online Check the quality of beach and bathing water in England and on signs at the designated coastal and inland waters from May.
5. Notes
England:https://environment.data.gov.uk/bwq/profiles/
Scotland: http://www.sepa.org.uk/water/bathing_waters.aspx)
Northern Ireland: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/bathing-water-quality
Eurostat: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/water-bathing/index_en.html
Public Enquiries: 08459 335577; Media enquiries: 020 7238 6479
END