The number of regulated bathing spots in England that meet minimum water quality standards has increased slightly since last year, according to new figures from the Environment Agency.
Of the 449 sites regularly tested this summer, 93% met minimum standards for bacteria levels in water related to sewage spills, agricultural pollution and other factors. This is better than 92% in 2024.
A total of 32 sites were rated “poor” compared with 37 in 2024, which was the worst year since the new measurement system was introduced in 2015.
The government said reforms to bathing water rules would help further, but campaigners said swimming in England's rivers was still too often a health hazard.
Water Minister Emma Hardy said: “These changes come alongside our wider efforts to clean up our waterways so communities across the country can enjoy the places they love most.”
A spokesman for industry body Water UK said the quality of bathing water in England remained high and that companies had a plan to reduce sewage spills.
The Environment Agency (EA) monitors bacteria levels in swimming areas in rivers, lakes and seas across England between May and September each year, taking thousands of samples.
Bacteria levels are affected by pollution from sewage spills, agriculture and other sources, but can also be affected by weather.
The summer of 2025 was particularly dry. All other things being equal, this should lead to less pollution and less sediment runoff.
The latest data covers the four-year period from 2022 to 2025, where measurements are available.
They show a rise in the proportion of sites with the top 'excellent' rating to 66%, up from 64% last year.
The percentage of sites rated “poor” – those that do not meet minimum standards – fell from 8% to 7%. But this is still the second highest figure in the last decade.
Alan Lovell, chairman of the EA, said: “The quality of bathing water in England has improved significantly over recent decades and this year’s results show the continuing impact of strong regulation, investment and partnership.
“But we know there is more to be done and new water reforms will strengthen the way these much-loved places are managed,” he said.
More swimming areas have been added in recent years, effectively requiring more places of the highest standards for people to swim.
Swimming spots in rivers performed significantly worse than in the sea, where the vast majority of swimming spots are located.
Of the 14 river sites, only two met the minimum standards. Many of these rivers were only added to the list of controlled swimming areas in 2024, which may make comparisons over time difficult.
The EA says part of the reason river water quality is deteriorating is that salty seawater can act as a natural disinfectant and the sea dilutes pollutants more quickly. Rivers are also often closer to sources of pollution.
James Wallace, chief executive of River Action UK, described the findings for rivers in England as “deeply worrying”.
“Despite rivers being our most protected assets, the government's own data shows that swimming in our inland bathing waters poses serious health risks, highlighting the failure of regulators to hold polluters to account,” he said.
The latest figures come as the EA gave UK water companies their worst combined scores last month for their environmental performance in 2024 amid a sharp rise in serious pollution incidents.
And in July landmark review Representatives of the “failing” water sector in England and Wales have recommended tougher regulation to hold water companies to account.
But he warned there would be no quick fixes to improve the health of our rivers or reduce bills.
In response to today's figures, a Water UK spokesman said: “These results show that the quality of England's bathing water remains high, with 87% rated good or excellent.”
“This is in stark contrast to the 1990s, when less than a third of bathing water met today's standards.”
