The number of monitored bathing sites in England meeting minimum standards for water quality has risen slightly since last year, according to new figures from the Environment Agency.Out of the 449 sites regularly tested this summer, 93% met minimum standards for levels of bacteria in the water, linked to sewage spills, agricultural pollution and other factors. That is better than the 92% of 2024. Overall, 32 sites were rated “poor” – down from 37 in 2024, which was the worst year since the new measurement system began in 2015. The government said its reforms to bathing water rules will help further, but campaigners said that swimming in England’s rivers was still too often risky to health.Water Minister Emma Hardy said: “These changes sit alongside our wider action to clean up our waterways so communities across the country can enjoy the places they care about most.”A spokesperson for industry body Water UK said that the quality of England’s bathing water remains high and that companies have a plan to reduce sewage spills.The Environment Agency (EA) monitors levels of bacteria at bathing water sites in rivers, lakes and the sea across England between May and September each year by taking thousands of samples.Levels of bacteria are affected by pollution from sewage spills, agriculture and other sources – but can also be affected by the weather. The summer of 2025 was particularly dry. All else being equal, that should lead to less pollution, with less runoff from rainfall.The latest figures …
