Thames21 gives response to Defra’s news on bathing water reforms
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has launched a consultation to invite the public, community and environmental groups, farmers, businesses and local authorities to share views on modernising bathing water regulations today (12 November 2024).
It has proposed reforms to include removing fixed season dates from the regulations and improving water quality measures.
Our CEO, Chris Coode, is featured in Defra’s press release commenting on the news.
He stated: “We welcome the government’s announcement to reform the Bathing Water Regulations. This is a crucial step towards improving water quality and the health of our rivers, especially in the areas we cover across London and the Thames Basin.
“Extending the dates of the bathing season and having a flexible approach to monitoring will generate valuable data, helping people to decide on whether they want to use their local river on any given day. We are also pleased with the government’s proposals to broaden the legal definition of ‘bathers’ to include other water lovers, not just swimmers.
“We look forward to playing our part in this consultation by contributing evidence alongside other key stakeholders. Additionally, we hope that the government will recognise the work of countless communities, groups and volunteers who have applied or plan to apply for bathing water designation and hope that the shortcomings of the bathing water application process are resolved.”
In 2023, Defra released guidance to be followed when applying for bathing water status, announcing that an average of 100 bathers should be recorded over two days on a site during peak bathing water season. However, this can’t be done when organised events are happening. Yet, organised river events often see thousands of participants take to the water. Unfortunately, this point hasn’t been included in the consultation launched today and we believe that it should as people attending organised river events also deserve access to safe river environments. Nevertheless, this consultation offers people the opportunity to make their voices heard on how they would like to see the Bathing Water Regulations reformed.
We are encouraging our supporters to speak up for river health and improved water quality.
Respond to Defra’s consultation by clicking link here: https://consult.defra.gov.uk/water/bathing-water-reforms-consultation/supporting_documents/Bathing%20Waters%20Final%20Consultation%20document.pdf
Read full story here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bathing-water-reforms-to-consider-water-sports-and-water-quality