Ministers have proposed reforms to bathing water sites in a bid to protect the nation’s rivers and lakes from pollution.
Campaigners have previously warned that Britain’s wild swimmers face being struck down by stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhoea if they take a dip in bathing spots.
Water Minister Emma Hardy said: “Bathing water sites are the pride of local communities across the country.
“But the current system is not working for all those who use and enjoy our bathing waters, and reform is long overdue.
“That is why this Government will give more people the opportunity to experience the benefits of our beautiful waters and connect with nature.”
The fresh overhaul could include extending the dates of the bathing season beyond May to September in a bid to better reflect when people use them.
Yearly ratings currently classify each site as excellent, good, sufficient or poor on the basis of water quality.
The Government will also consider expanding the legal definition of “bathers” to include participants in water sports other than swimming, including paddle boarders and surfers.
Giving waterways bathing status means the Environment Agency has to test them for pollution, putting pressure on water companies to stop dumping sewage in them.
A six-week consultation, which launched today, will also consider introducing multiple testing points at bathing water sites.
Proposals will also look at ending the automatic de-designation of bathing water status after five consecutive years of a site being rated “poor”, which can damage local tourism and businesses.
Instead, underperforming sites will be individually reviewed by regulators, taking into account their unique circumstances.
In May, most of the more than 400 existing swimming spots mer minimum standards but two river sites on the list were both rated “poor”.
It comes as sewage spills into England’s rivers and seas by water companies more than doubled last year.
There were 3.6 million hours of spills compared to 1.75 million hours in 2022, figures from the Environment Agency showed.
