30/11/11
Compliance with the EU Bathing Water Directive improved to more than 98% over the 2011 bathing season, and more waters met the highest 'guideline' standard.
Water companies continue to make considerable investment in infrastructure and treatment to ensure that discharges do not compromise achievement of bathing water standards.
Combined sewer overflows (CSOs), which operate in wet weather, may impact on bathing waters, and a successful trial was carried out this summer to provide bathers and surfers with real-time information where bathing water quality was likely to be affected.
A user survey of the 50 sites involved, published by Defra, showed that bathers recognised the importance of CSOs. Recently the Marine Conservation Society produced a policy statement on the subject. Although we have some reservations about their position, we hope it will help the public to better understand the issue.
2011 mandatory compliance results for bathing waters in the UK
Defra bulletin
CSO survey responses
Published by Defra
MCS: Combined sewer overflows
Policy position statement
