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Water: Standards

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Question for Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

UIN 15605, tabled on 21 November 2024

Question

Freddie van Mierlo
Liberal Democrat
Henley and Thame
Commons

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to help ensure high quality water in bathing water designated areas inland.

Answer

Emma Hardy
Labour
Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice
Commons

Answered on

27 November 2024

Designated bathing waters are monitored by the Environment Agency (EA) throughout the bathing season which enables them to assess what action is needed to improve water quality. Sites which receive classifications of poor standard will be subject to an action and improvement plan between the EA, local stakeholders and water companies. Defra also recently launched a consultation on reforms to the Bathing Water Regulations 2013. The three core proposals details in this consultation seek to bring the designation and monitoring process in line with how bathing waters are used today, and ensure it is fit for purpose for inland sites.

Answered by

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
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