Bathing waters 100% compliant for fourth year in a row

Bathing waters across Wales are compliant again for the fourth year in a row following the completion of this year’s bathing water season.

Working closely with Welsh Government, Local Authorities and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) visited all 105 designated bathing water sites and collected and analysed water quality samples throughout the season.

This year’s results saw 85 bathing waters classed as ‘Excellent’, 14 ‘Good’ and 6 ‘Sufficient’, including improvements in classification for eight sites including Cemaes, Kinmel Bay and Nolton Haven.

While all Wales’ designated sites are compliant, six have unfortunately dropped a classification from ‘Excellent’ to ‘Good’, including Tenby North, New Quay Harbour, Llandonna and Aberystwyth North.

Clare Pillman, CEO of Natural Resources Wales, said:

“Monitoring and maintaining our natural resources is a cornerstone of the work we do and I’m incredibly proud of our staff for pulling off another successful bathing water season despite the unprecedented challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Hitting 100% compliance again this year shows how hard we and our partners are working locally and on a national level to keep Wales’ bathing waters as clean as we can.

“While we can celebrate the positive results, there’s still work to be done and we look forward to Wales continuing to work as a team to protect and improve our beaches and the benefits they bring to us.”

You can view the latest bathing water results here.