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Water

Asked by Barry GardinerLabourDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled Answered 4 June 2026UIN 5286

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department plans to designate bathing water status to the 2,487 recreationally-used freshwater sites identified by the Environment Agency which currently do not have such status.

Answered by Emma Hardy

The Government designates bathing waters following a public application and consultation process. This means the process is driven by individuals and groups with direct ties to sites highly popular with bathers, who best understand how they are used and valued by the local community. More information on the application and designation process is available on Gov.UK.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bathing-waters-apply-to-designate-or-de-designate

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