US EditionPublished • loading... • Updated
The 13 Swimming Spots that Could Become Designated for Dipping
The UK Government aims to expand official bathing sites to 464, including water sports users in the bather definition and ensuring routine water quality testing.
- The Government proposed 13 new official bathing locations across England, including River Thames at Ham and Kingston, Greater London, which could become London's first river bathing site, raising the total to 464 sites.
- The policy change follows a government overhaul of the bathing-water rules, broadening the legal definition of 'bather' to include paddle boarders and surfers and framing this as a generational reform to cut pollution, the UK Government said.
- Local campaigners for East Beach marshalled surveys and stakeholder support, submitting applications and consultations including letters from landowners, Dorset Council and other organisations.
- Designation would trigger routine water-quality assessments, giving swimmers, paddlers and water-sports users clearer information amid 2025 data showing 87% of sites rated excellent or good while 7%—32 sites—failed minimum standards.
- Beyond testing, officials call a Thames bathing spot a 'vast transformation' from past pollution, with campaigners saying, `Securing bathing water status is about more than just swimming; it's about protecting our river for generations to come`.
Insights by Ground AI
18 Articles
18 Articles
Evening StandardReposted by 
perspectivemedia.com
perspectivemedia.comRiver Thames site among 13 proposed new swimming spots
Designation would mean sites are subject to regular water quality testing.
·London, United Kingdom
Read Full Article
Coverage Details
Total News Sources18
Leaning Left3Leaning Right0Center9Last UpdatedBias Distribution75% Center
Bias Distribution
- 75% of the sources are Center
75% Center
L 25%
C 75%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
