Warnings at 12 of 14 River Bathing Sites as New Locations Added for Monitoring

Signs warn against swimming at 12 of 14 official river bathing sites in England due to poor water quality. Six new sites, including one on the Thames in London, will be monitored this summer to improve water safety and encourage investment in sewage reduction.

Warnings at River Bathing Sites Due to Water Safety Concerns

Signs advising against swimming have been placed at nearly all of England's official river bathing sites amid concerns over water safety.

The government has announced that six new river bathing sites will be monitored for the first time this summer, including the first site on the River Thames in London.

Over the past week, the BBC visited all 14 existing inland river locations tested last year by the Environment Agency for contamination from bacteria associated with human and animal faeces.

Only the River Stour in Suffolk and the River Thames in Oxfordshire showed acceptable water quality levels, while the other 12 sites were rated "poor," with advisories against swimming.

Map of England showing officially designated inland river bathing sites for 2025, colour‑coded by water quality. Red dots indicate poor water quality, a yellow dot indicates sufficient quality, and a blue dot indicates good quality. Those deemed poor include rivers in northern England such as the River Wharfe at Ilkley and Wetherby, the River Nidd at Knaresborough and the River Ribble at Clitheroe; in the Midlands, sites along the River Severn at Ironbridge and Shrewsbury and the River Teme at Ludlow; and in southern England, locations along the River Thames at Oxford, the River Cam at Cambridge, and rivers in the south‑west such as the River Avon, River Frome and River Tone. The River Stour at Sudbury is deemed good while the River Thames at Wallingford is deemed sufficient. — 14 inland river bathing sites in England were tested last year by the Environment Agency. All but two had poor water quality.

The addition of six new sites brings the total number of locations regularly tested by the Environment Agency to over 460. Most of these are coastal sites, but an increasing number are on lakes and rivers. Test results are published on a government website.

To be designated as a bathing site, a location must meet specific criteria, including the number of bathers and the availability of nearby toilet facilities.

Water quality is generally better at coastal locations, whereas rivers often experience pollution from sewage discharges and agricultural runoff.

Map of England showing 13 newly designated bathing sites marked with dots. Locations are spread across the country, including Little Shore in Northumberland, the River Swale at Richmond, New Brighton Beach on Merseyside, the River Dee at Chester, the River Waveney in Suffolk, Canvey Island in Essex, Granville Parade in Sandgate, multiple sites along the River Thames near London and Pangbourne, and sites in the south‑west such as the River Avon at Salisbury, East Beach in Dorset, Newton and Noss Creeks in Devon, and the River Fowey in Cornwall. — Thirteen new bathing sites, 6 of them on inland rivers, will now be tested by the Environment Agency through the summer

Bathing Site Designation and Its Impact

Campaigners state that obtaining river designation—and the associated water testing—has become one of the most effective methods to compel water companies to reduce sewage spills.

One campaigner described it as "bonkers" that the best way to clean a polluted river is to turn it into a popular swimming site.

Water Minister Emma Hardy commented on the new sites, stating:

"The introduction of these new bathing sites means better monitoring of our waterways, a boost for local tourism, and greater confidence for local swimmers."

However, water companies have expressed concerns about the increasing number of monitored bathing sites.

"Designating an area as a bathing water before it is suitable for bathing and without a plan in place to clean it up risks confusing the public, who will rightly believe it is safe to swim there," a Water UK spokesman told the BBC.

The River Wharfe at Ilkley

The River Wharfe at Ilkley in Yorkshire was the first river designated as a bathing site in 2020 and serves as an important case study.

Karen Shackleton from the Ilkley Clean River Group explained:

"When it rains, there can be tens of thousands of E.coli units per 100ml."

E.coli is one of the bacteria linked to faeces that the Environment Agency tests for. Levels above 900 units per 100ml trigger advice to avoid swimming.

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Campaigner Di Leary pointed to a sewage overflow pipe across the river, stating:

"We're basically swimming in other people's poo."

She then took a quick dip in the river.

The River Wharfe at Ilkley has consistently been rated "poor" since its designation, but campaigners remain hopeful for improvement.

Yorkshire Water is currently investing £60 million in a programme aimed at reducing sewage discharge into the river.

Karen Shackleton added:

"This wasn't about wild swimming. It was actually about putting something in place so that the Environment Agency had to come and test the river, because they don't test rivers as standard. Then when they find the results that are poor, that drives the investment by the water company."

Both campaigners acknowledged the paradox in the system.

"It's very much a Catch 22 situation," Di said.

Karen agreed: "It's disgustingly bonkers."

BBC/Jonah Fisher Two wild swimmers stand together in front of a bridge at the River Wharfe in Ilkley. — Di Leary and Karen Shackleton are campaigning to clean up the River Wharfe at Ilkley. The water has tested "poor" every year since it was first designated in 2020.

Bathing Sites in Shropshire

In Shropshire, Alison Biddulph has overseen the designation of three bathing sites: two on the River Severn at Ironbridge and Shrewsbury, and one on the River Teme at Ludlow.

All three sites have so far been rated "poor," resulting in signs advising against swimming.

Despite this, Alison remains undeterred. During a meeting, she encouraged participation in swimming, explaining that she avoids the water after heavy rain, which can cause raw sewage spills.

She stated: