Status flow

How important is bathing water status in the fight against pollution? Rowan Clarke finds out.

Twenty-seven new swimming spots became designated bathing waters in England this year. That brings the list to around 600 locations in the UK recognised in law for bathing. But, with campaigner Feargal Sharkey calling it an ‘ignoble, floundering list of failure’, does bathing water status mean anything?

Criticism centres around that the fact that having designated bathing waters status (DBWS) doesn’t mean the water’s fit to bathe in, just that it’s tested. Take a look at our rivers: only 14 per cent are considered healthy and the Environment Agency’s data from last summer shows that the three rivers designated for bathing weren’t among them.

So, why do swimming groups continue to apply for DBWS if it doesn’t guarantee water fit to swim in?

“It’s pretty much the only driver we’ve got in this country to clean up rivers to public health standards, although the action isn’t happening fast enough,” says Michelle Walker, Technical Director at The Rivers Trust. “But, without it, the water companies have no incentive to invest in the sort of treatment that can sterilise the sewage effluent to make it suitable for humans to swim in.”

Applying pressure

To understand how DBWS incentivises water companies to clean up, it helps to understand what the term means. It’s legislation to test the water quality during the summer season at natural waterways where a large number of people bathe, and then publish the results.

While this knowledge gives us the choice about whether or not to swim, naysayers argue that DBWS doesn’t go far enough because it doesn’t legislate for improving water quality.

This might be true. But gaining DBWS requires a lengthy application process that requires communities to prove that a swim spot is enjoyed by a large number of people. And it’s in the strength of these communities and their commitment to their beloved swim spots that we see real change.

Just ask Alison Biddulph, a formidable outdoor swimmer from Shropshire whose drive got DBWS for three river swim spots in Ludlow, Shrewsbury and Ironbridge this year.

“There is a very long tradition of swimming at the Linney, and many of our ancestors learned to swim there. But it’s also under threat of pollution,” says Alison. “It made sense to me to harness the power of the swimming community to apply for [DBWS] and to try to protect the river that we love so much and its inhabitants… To be honest, I was surprised that we got all three sites designated – it was a massive effort and I met so many new people who stepped up to help. A very worthwhile exercise all round.”

Working together

Part of that community power comes in the form of holding polluters and governing bodies accountable. Engaging with water companies, environmental and economical regulators as well as local councillors and organisations like The Wildlife Trusts and The Rivers Trust is not only key to getting DBWS, but also to making real, tangible improvements to swim spots.

In Shropshire, Alison found that Severn Trent Water were initially keen share information about their new technologies.

“They made a point of highlighting the part that agriculture plays in polluting the river, as if we weren’t already aware of that,” says Alison. “But once we developed contacts with the river rangers – and particularly Gareth Mead, Stuart Hill and Steve Caldwell – we were able to develop a much better understanding of the CSOs and they helped to investigate and remove sources of sewage pollution that had been an issue for years before.”

Similarly, in Cambridgeshire, the Cam Valley Forum felt that their campaign for DBWS successfully exerted pressure on Anglian Water. “Poor water quality gives leverage to force the water company to invest in improving upstream sewage works,” explains campaigner Anne Miller, who says that Anglian Water was very supportive. “We hope it will lead to an apportionment study, then investment to clean up the pollution sources.”

Beyond swimmers

Of course, government action and legislation is badly needed to clean up our waterways. But recent electoral polling showed just how important an issue the sewage crisis is for voters. Particularly telling was not only the number but also the location of seats that went to the political parties that campaigned on polluted rivers and beaches.

With political change and initiatives like the River Wye Action Plan, this new swathe of successful DBWS applications adds to an increasingly loud and persuasive voice. Information and data about pollution clearly illustrates the state of our bathing waters so that we can hold accountable those who continue to pollute them.

What’s more, the process of applying for designated bathing water status draws together communities. Swimmers, anglers, organisations, businesses, councils, local people – activists united by our shared love of blue spaces. It doesn’t feel like a floundering list, does it?

Lead photo: Julie Bywater

For information about applying for Designated Bathing Water Status see: theriverstrust.org/applying-fordesignated- bathing-water-status

Find the water quality at a DBWS site near you: environment.data.gov.uk/ bwq/profiles/