Bathing water quality standards
We currently monitor nearly 500 bathing waters during the bathing water season (May to September) and assess whether they comply with the standards of the current Bathing Water Directive.
Classification of water quality
Each bathing water site receives an annual water quality classification for every season. This classification is calculated from 20 samples taken during the season.
We count the number of certain types of bacteria which may indicate the presence of pollution, mainly from sewage or livestock waste. Total coliforms (TC), faecal coliforms (FC) and faecal streptococci (FS) are bacteria that are not directly harmful but indicate the presence of pollution. An increase in the concentrations of bacteria indicates a decrease in water quality. All values are colonies per 100ml of sample.
- Higher means the bathing water meets the criteria for the stricter UK guideline standards of the Directive (includes lower levels of concentrations and a third parameter (FS)); limits used are TC: ≤500; FC: ≤100; FS: ≤100.
- Minimum means that at least 95% of the samples meet the mandatory standards of the Directive; limits used are TC: ≤10000; FC: ≤2000; FS: N/A.
- Fail means that fewer than 95% of the samples meet the required mandatory standards of the Directive; limits used are TC: >10000; FC: >2000; FS: N/A.
- Not sampled indicates that the bathing water was closed during the bathing season.
Sampling
We take samples on a weekly basis throughout the bathing water season. These are then tested in our laboratories and the most recent sample results published on the 'What's In Your Backyard' maps.
Due to the complex process of testing and checking the samples, the results shown may represent samples taken up to four weeks prior to today's date. The data will display the number of days since the sample was taken.
Abnormal weather waivers
Find out our policy for waiving bathing water results as a result of abnormal weather conditions as agreed with Defra:
Bathing water quality near you
Why not take a few minutes to find out how clean the bathing water is near you. Visit What's in your Backyard? and simply enter the postcode or town name of the beach.
Further information
Please contact us if you have any questions about our work on bathing waters:
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