Where we swim, surf, paddle and play

Our waterways are used all year by many recreational water users. But bathing waters are only monitored for up to 20 weeks a year in the bathing season for England and Wales, and up to 15 weeks for Scotland and Northern Ireland. Our map shows how and when people are really using the water.

Why we’re collecting recreational data

You can help influence change by evidencing when and how you use your local waterway. Each time you take a dip in your local lake, have a surf or take to the river fishing log it in on the map!

Kirsty Davies (she / her)

Community Water Quality Manager

I provide support to communities to apply for bathing water designation alongside Community Water Quality Officer, Lizzie, on our Protecting Wild Waters campaign. Bathing waters are vital in protecting the health of water users and improving the water quality of our well-loved stretches of rivers, lakes and beaches. It’s within my role I also work with communities at policy level to drive the changes required to our legislation to ensure it’s fit for purpose.

I also work on on our Citizen Science programme which provides communities with the guidance, tools and equipment to investigate water quality issues at their rivers, lakes and beaches.

Latest Recreational data investigations