Defra publishes bathing waters consultation outcome

Article summary

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has published the consultation outcome and government response to its consultation on bathing waters in England. Following the consultation, all 27 proposed sites will be added to the list of designated bathing waters for the 2024 bathing season and will immediately benefit from regular water quality monitoring. The new sites will take the total number of bathing waters to 451 across England. The government will also launch a consultation later in 2024 on proposals to reform the bathing water regulations for England.