Government commits to new standards to assess applications for ‘bathing water’ status
The plans being developed include expanding the definition of ‘bathers’ to include paddlesport participants such as rowers
Following a consultation late last year, the Government has today committed to modernising bathing water rules. The reforms, which are the first since 2013, could see the definition of ‘bather’ include other watersports for the first time. The government is also planning to introduce multiple monitoring points at each bathing water location as part of a change to regulations.
This could mean that recreational water users like rowers – and not just swimmers – would benefit from better water quality at bathing water locations.
British Rowing and our partners in the Clean Water Sports Alliance have been campaigning for these changes.
The new bathing water rules will also include removing fixed season dates from regulations.
Water quality and public health will be prioritised at new bathing water sites.
Applications for new bathing waters in England will re-open in May, and those sites will be assessed against the government’s newly reformed standards, set to become law later this year.
Applicants are encouraged to use the upcoming season to gather evidence for their applications. Prospective sites will be assessed against the government’s newly reformed standards. Defra will publish updated guidance on how to apply for a site to be designated at the start of the bathing water season (15 May 2025).
