BUT stretch of Thames should get bathing status for in first time, in attempt ensure water becomes safe and clean for swimming.
Part of Wolvercote Mill Creek at Port Meadow, Oxford, area popular with wild swimmers, will only second interior stretch of water officially designated as bathing water from next month.
last year stretch of Wharf River in Ilkley, Yorkshire became first river in England to be given bathing status in in the hope that this will force the water companies to stop discharging wastewater to a picturesque place where people I bathe often. The water is not purified yet up and recently received a poor water quality rating.
Activists ask for more rivers all over England should be given bathing status because they adds requirements to a site that can improve water quality. At these sites, the Environmental Protection Agency must regularly take water samples to assess the level of water quality and whether action is needed to reduce bacteria levels.
It is hoped that if the areas are found to be of poor quality, this could force water companies to stop discharging raw sewage.
government asks the local people designate areas near them as bathing spots ensure areas where people swimming, rowing and kayaking are supervised.
Environment minister Rebecca Pou said: “Residents of Oxford and the island of White showed their overwhelming approval for these sites are places for enjoy and connect with nature so I’m glad to see them locations obtaining designated bathing water status. While bathing water quality improved in recent years, and England has the cleanest bathing waters since registration began, we know that the quality of the water in these areas won’t change overnight. It’ll take time and all those with a role to play should commit to achieve the necessary improvements.
“We continue drive up quality of lakes, rivers and seas for in public to enjoy through measures in our Environmental Law and I urge more Applications for popular bathing spots, both inland and coastal, which can also fit for designation”.
Monitoring will begin May 15 start of bathing season, with results of water quality tests pending in autumn. Coastal lot on the East Cowes Esplanade. on Island of White also receive a bathing water designation.
Data published last Week showed water companies dumping raw sewage into English rivers 372,533 times last year slight decrease on previous year. Water companies spanning England dumped raw sewage for combined total of more than 2.7m hours in comparison with 3.1 m hours in 2020.
government recently revealed his plans to reduce sewage pollution, which will allow by 2035 to reduce by 70% discharges near bathing places during the bathing season, with significant reduction expected outside bathing season too. However, nature activists said that plans fail, and that below them the rivers of England will still be clogged with sewage.
