Plea to designate Dorset rivers as bathing water

A plea was made at a recent BCP Council meeting to seek bathing water designation for the area’s rivers.

Designation is determined by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), with bathing water quality assessed by looking for the presence of bacteria in the water that may cause harm to human health.

A statement from resident Frederick Cowley read at full council on April 26 said: “It is my opinion that our rivers need better protection against pollution.

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“The last water framework directive report showed only 14 per cent of rivers were rated good ecologically and every river failed its chemical test. This indicates our rivers need better protection.

“I believe the solution to this is designating more rivers as bathing waters.

“Since 2015 the amount of bathing waters of excellent quality has increased by over 11 per cent showing how designation has improved water quality over time.

“I would urge this council to designate some of its rivers so that they may receive the same protection as other bathing waters.”

Extinction Rebellion protest at River Stour in January 2021

Councils, groups and individuals can apply for sites to be designated.

Defra said it welcomed applications and it had written to the chief executive of every local authority in England. The government department also sent similar letters to other stakeholders like swimming associations.

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Bathing water designation takes into account any facilities that are provided to promote and support bathing, such as lifeguarding, first aid facilities, public toilets, shops and cafes. This is because the presence of these facilities demonstrates the site is an established bathing area and is managed for bathing.

Water quality is not a criterion when initially considering applications for designation.

The Environment Agency is responsible for monitoring designated bathing waters and responding to any incidents that may affect the water quality at the beaches.

Rivers and other open water locations that are not designated as bathing waters are managed for the purpose of protecting fish and wildlife, not people, so health risks from using these locations may be higher than at designated bathing waters.

Councillor Mark Anderson, portfolio holder for Environment and Place said: “The Environment Agency is responsible for assessing sites water quality and designating as bathing water, which means they carry out additional water quality tests.

“This is something that the council is supportive of, championing our communities and initiatives aimed at improving water quality.

“In fact, at a recent Cabinet meeting, bathing group, Beach People, recently applied to BCP Council to designate Kite Beach/Whitely Lake as a bathing water site and we would support them.”