Defra has launched a consultation on proposed reforms and technical amendments to the Bathing Water Regulations 2013.

Photo credit: Jens Meyers

The proposals include

• removal of automatic de-designation after 5 years of ‘poor’ water quality
• changes to the designation criteria of bathing sites
• removing the fixed dates of the bathing season from regulations

The consultation, which closes on 23 December, also seeks views on proposed technical amendments, as well as potential upcoming reforms on:

• the definition of ‘bathers’
• the introduction of multiple monitoring points at bathing sites