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Recreational Data HQ guide
Recreational Data HQ evidences when and where we actually use rivers, lakes or beaches. It can help influence change to protect water user’s health.
How can Recreational Data influence change?
Telling us when, where and how you use your local waterway provides the evidence we need to show those in power that the system is failing us and the environment. That includes the government, MPs, water companies and regulators. It provides a picture of how people use the water – all year round, and for every kind of water sport or activity. Currently, the legislation that should protect water users doesn’t represent this.
To end sewage pollution by 2030 at the places we love to swim, surf, paddle and play we’re calling for a reform of the Bathing Water Regulations. Overhauling the outdated legislation is a vital step in improving water quality to protect all water users.
Legislation that isn’t fit for purpose
Currently, the legislation that’s triggered once a bathing site is designated doesn’t fully represent who uses these waterways – or where, when, and how.
The UK is legislated by the Bathing Water Regulations 2013 which are derived from the European Bathing Water Directive 2006/7. For a river, lake or beach to become a designated bathing site, an application is submitted to the government.
More and more communities are leading the way and applying for their local waterway to become a bathing water as these spots are the only stretches of waterway where there is a legal obligation for water quality to be monitored and improvements to water quality put in place. (And you can also get involved too!)
Recreational Waters, not Bathing Waters!
The legislation dictates that only bathers should be considered when designating new bathing waters. On submitting a new bathing water application evidence is required to show that a ‘large’ number of bathers are using the waterway for a bathing site to be successfully designated.
We know that our waterways are used by many types of water users – not just bathers. The Bathing Water legislation ignores the fact that surfers, paddleboarders, kayakers, anglers and more love using their beaches, rivers and lakes too. If the legislation was reformed to include all ‘recreational’ water users, then more sites would be able to become a Recreational Water. And in turn, water quality there would be monitored and improvements made to protect all water users.
We need year-round monitoring
The legislation also limits when we are protected. 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. But we’re a nation of water lovers and take to the water throughout the year. Monitoring should reflect this.
Start | End | |
---|---|---|
England | 15 May | 30 September |
Northern Ireland | 1 June | 15 September |
Scotland | 1 June | 15 September |
Wales | 15 May | 30 September |
The start and end dates of the ‘Bathing Season’ across the UK
Who monitors water quality at bathing waters?
The Regulator monitors water quality which differs depending on where you are in the UK.
England – Environment Agency
Northern Ireland – Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
Scotland – Scottish Environment Protection Agency
Wales – Natural Resources Wales
Protecting Wild Waters
Our Protecting Wild Waters campaign supports communities that are applying for Bathing Water status. With your support, we want to see communities applying for Recreational Waters in the near future.