Defra responds to OEP review of Bathing Water Regulations implementation

Article summary

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), as mandated by section 29 of the Environment Act 2021 (EA 2021), has published its response to the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP)’s review of the implementation of the Bathing Water Regulations in England. The OEP’s review comprised recommendations to improve the implementation of the regulations. Defra welcomes these recommendations, noting that many align with proposals outlined in its November 2024 consultation on reforms to the Bathing Water Regulations 2013, SI 2013/1675. It also acknowledges the need to update the regulations to reflect changes in public recreational water use beyond bathing and evolving public expectations of water quality. The government further notes that some recommendations are existing practice, while others fall outside the scope of current proposed reforms but may be considered in future policy development.