Wales Meets Bathing Water EC Standards 100%

All the designated bathing waters in Wales passed mandatory water quality standards, Environment Minister Jane Davidson said today.

A total of 81 bathing waters were tested this year with all 81 passing the mandatory bacteria standards set by the European Council Bathing Water Directive and 75 (92.6%) of the beaches met the more stringent EC guideline standards.

Ms Davidson said:

“Once again I am delighted that Wales’s beaches are continuing to meet these high water quality standards, I am especially pleased that there has been a rise in the number of bathing waters meeting the stricter EC guideline standard from 63 in 2008 to 75 this year.

“As we saw in 2008 heavy rainfall can often have an effect on the quality of our bathing waters.  I continue to place a high priority on driving forward and promoting work to improve beach facilities.

”Wales is a tourist destination for 8.5 million people and ensuring that our beaches continue to have excellent water quality and facilities is key to making sure that all visitors experience the very best Wales has to offer.”

Environment Agency Wales Director Chris Mills said:

“Ensuring that Wales’s bathing waters meet the high standards set by the EC Bathing Waters Directive is a key priority for us in Environment Agency Wales. These results demonstrate that continued action to tackle sources of water pollution along the Welsh coastline has achieved significant improvements.

“However, the bar is being raised.  The revised Bathing Water Directive to be introduced in 2015 will drive standards even higher through its new classification of water quality.  In the future we also expect changing rainfall patterns, with the possibility of more intense storm events and this trend could create additional challenges for bathing water quality. More will need to be done to ensure the future quality of our bathing waters.

“As the environmental regulator, we are working with Dwr Cymru Welsh Water to ensure it prioritises investment in the sewerage system to provide most benefit to the environment.  We are advising farmers to make changes to their farming practices to reduce agricultural runoff from their land. We are also encouraging householders, Local Authorities and businesses to check for any wrong connections in their drainage systems.

Topics: agriculture, bacteria, bathing water, beach facilities, drainage system, enviroment, European Council, farmers, gobernment, Governance, sewerage system, Wales, water, water pollution, water standard, Welsh Coastline, welsh government

 Print This Article in Plain Text

Latest Headlines

• U.S. Loan Modification Program Still Not Working Smoothly
• Nova Scotia Celebrates Local Culture And Heritage With Pictou Landing Powwow
• Canada Announces Funding For The 147th Antigonish Highland Games
• Canada Expanding Trade Relations With South Africa
• Scotland To Create Confidential Helpline For Men Being Abused
• What Is The Future For Scotland’s Public Information Notices “PIN”
• £34 Million To Make Welsh Homes More Energy Efficient
• Welsh Government Sets Out Scheme To Give Rights To Children And Young People
• Plas Madoc Under Scrutiny In Wales For Financial Mismanagement
• Wales To Network In Austin Texas For 2nd Annual Digital Mission
• States Look For Ways To Fund Medicaid
• UK’s 2012 Olympic Games Encompasses Change4Life Youth Sports Scheme
• Homeland Security Announces Enhancements To E-Verify System
• USDA Makes Loans Available To Build Cold Storage Facilities
• UK Using Carbon Capture And Storage To Secure 2030 Economy

In The News

USDA Invests $15 million To Improve Water Quality In California

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today committed

UK Supporting Rural Health At National Conference

The Commission for Rural Communities (CRC)

UK Cautious As Unemployment Rates Decline But Warns Investments Still Needed

Falling unemployment for the third consecutive

Disabled Travelers Will Find The Railways Easily Accessible For The 2012 Olympics

Sports fans with limited mobility will

Saint-Gobain Containers Commits To Remain In Louisiana

Saint-Gobain Containers will retain 350 jobs