We routinely check bathing water at:
- public swimming pools
- hot tubs and spas
- coastlines and beaches
Water quality
Bathing water is affected by many sources.
Fat or sanitary products flushed down drains can block the system. This can lead to untreated sewage going straight into the sea.
Other pollution can come from:
- litter left on beaches
- dog excrement not picked up
- incorrect plumbing connections
- storm water overflows
- agricultural and urban runoff
How you can help
You can help protect bathing water by:
- putting litter in the bin
- picking up your dog’s excrement and disposing of it properly
- thinking about what you’re flushing down the toilet or pouring down the sink
- joining environmental campaigns and local beach-cleaning events
Monitoring bathing water
The Environment Agency is responsible for monitoring the quality of bathing waters during the bathing season (15 May to 30 September).
They test for levels of:
- E.coli (Escherichia coli)
- intestinal enterococci
Readings can very depending on:
- weather
- pollution from farms and towns
- storm water overflows
The results from the last four bathing seasons are used to give each site an annual classification.
During the bathing season, Environment Agency officers take weekly samples within Cumberland.
To review the bathing water quality, visit DEFRAs Swimfo: Find a bathing water.