Thames21 reacts to Defra’s River Thames bathing water site news
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced 13 new bathing water sites across England, including stretches of the River Thames at Ham and Kingston, and at Pangbourne Meadow in Berkshire.
Congratulations to community group Teddington Bluetits, Simon Griffiths of Outdoor Swimming Magazine, and local resident Rebecca Mole for their dedication and persistence in getting the London bathing water site proposal for Ham and Kingston over the line. Their hard work and commitment to improving water quality and protecting the River Thames are truly inspiring.
Meanwhile, Thames21, together with its volunteers and partners, has been focusing its efforts on Pangbourne Meadow – continuing the vital work of protecting and enhancing our precious river environments for local communities to enjoy.
A Thames21 spokesperson said: “This is fantastic news not only for the many swimmers who enjoy these sites, but also for the wider community of river users and the wildlife that depend on a healthy river. Healthy rivers benefit everyone, and these designations mark important steps towards improving water quality and protecting precious stretches of the Thames.
“We’re delighted that Pangbourne Meadow has become the third designated bathing site along the River Thames secured through the efforts of Thames21, its volunteers, and partners, following the designations of Port Meadow and Wallingford Beach.
“This is fantastic news for the many recreational river users who enjoy this stretch of water, as well as for the wildlife that depends on a healthy river ecosystem.
“We’re hugely grateful to the citizen scientists whose dedication made this possible. We simply couldn’t have achieved it without them, as well as the many individuals and organisations that supported the application along the way.”
Bathing water designation means that Pangbourne Meadow will be tested weekly by the Environment Agency during the bathing season (May to September). Results would be displayed onsite and allow swimmers and other river users to make informed choices about how to safely enjoy the Thames at Pangbourne.
Designation also puts pressure on Thames Water to investigate and address poor water quality to ensure the site meets bathing water standards. This will be of benefit, not only to the many people who use and love the river, but also to the overall health of the river ecosystem.
Thames21 conducted a programme of water quality monitoring with citizen scientists testing the river weekly for bacteria harmful to human health. The data collected resulted in a ‘Good’ overall status for bathing water quality at Pangbourne Meadow, in both 2024 and 2025’s monitoring seasons. However, rainfall can affect water quality at this site, and regular statutory monitoring would ensure that these any variation in these positive results are investigated and solutions prioritised.
Photo credit: ©Olivia Mooney-Griffiths