Research and analysis

Bathing water quality compliance reports

Monitoring reports showing if designated bathing waters in England meet regulatory standards and how they've been classified.

Documents

Bathing water classifications 2017

Bathing water classifications 2016

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Bathing water classifications 2015

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If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email defra.helpline@defra.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

The Environment Agency closely monitors beaches and inland waters that are designated bathing waters to check that standards are being maintained.

They must publish the official statistics and classifications awarded.

Bathing waters can be classified as ‘excellent’, ‘good’, ‘sufficient’ or ‘poor’.

Updates to this page

Published 14 November 2017
Last updated 1 December 2023 + show all updates
  1. Added the bathing water classifications for 2023.

  2. Added the bathing water classifications for 2022.

  3. Added the 2021 compliance report.

  4. Updated entries in the 2019 Bathing water classifications: 09000 Cleethorpes- from Good to Excellent and 09600 Ingoldmells South - from Good to Excellent.

  5. Added the 2019 compliance report.

  6. 2018 compliance report updated to correct the classification for Southend Three Shells from “Good” to “Excellent".

  7. Added the 2018 compliance report.

  8. 2017 compliance report updated to correct the classification for Crackington Haven from “Good” to “Excellent".

  9. First published.

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