Record improvement in bathing waters

Water quality around England’s coasts has dramatically improved since last year, according to Defra.

New figures show that almost 99% of English bathing waters now meet the minimum European water quality standard, with over 82% meeting even tighter guidelines.

Environment Minister, Dan Rogerson, says: “Having quality bathing water and beaches is not only good for the environment but also boosts tourism and creates a stronger local economy.”

However, from 2015 the water quality at Britain’s beaches will be measured against stricter levels – the revised EU Bathing Water Directive sets standards which are approximately twice as stringent as the current ones.