Thousands get pleasure from boxing day swims after main increase to water high quality
The Government came in vowing to clean up the nation’s water, and last month figures showed that 93% of bathing sites meet standards for swimming – an improvement on last year
Thousands can enjoy boxing day swims today after sweeping improvements to water quality.
The Government came in vowing to clean up the nation’s water, and last month figures showed that 93% of bathing sites meet standards for swimming – an improvement on last year.
It comes after ministers brought in the toughest enforcement powers in a decade, including criminal liability for water bosses who cover up illegal sewage spills and the power to ban unfair bonuses, which has seen more than £4 million pounds in bonuses banned across six water companies this year. They have also ringfenced water company investment, ensuring customers’ money is spent on fixing pipes, reducing sewage spills and improving water quality, not dividends or bonuses.
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The Environment Agency has also been given more power, allowing the regulator to recover enforcement costs from polluters, significantly boost inspections, and issue penalties more quickly without having to direct resources to lengthy investigations.
Water Minister Emma Hardy said: “Boxing Day swims are a brilliant reminder of how much people value their rivers, lakes and seas.
“This year we’ve taken tough, long-overdue action to protect them – increasing bathing water quality, blocking millions in bonuses and unlocking record investment to clean up our waterways.
“And we’re not stopping there. Next year we will set out long-term reforms to build upon this work and create a water sector fit for the future.”
Next year the government will set out comprehensive plans to go further, in the biggest overhaul of the water industry since privatisation.
A record number of criminal investigations have been launched into water firms since the general election, with an unprecedented 81 allegations of illegal sewage spills and other breaches being probed.
It follows the announcement earlier this year of plans to abolish Ofwat and replace it with a single, powerful water regulator to give investors clarity, water companies clear expectations, and customers renewed confidence.
However, Surfers Against Sewage CEO Giles Bristow claimed the “sewage scandal rages on”. He said: “By 2026, we expect to see real, enforceable change that transforms the broken system. No ifs, no buts.
“This cannot be another exercise in cosying up to industry bosses while customers pay the price. This has to be the year the Government puts an end to the sewage scandal once and for all. Having clean blue spaces is for life, not just for Christmas.”
