River Wensum campaigners trapped in catch-22 over bathing status

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 24 Oct, 07:09 · Archive

Norwich campaigners seeking bathing water status for the River Wensum say they face a catch-22 as more monitoring would come only with designation.

Campaigners in Norwich seeking bathing water status for a stretch of the River Wensum near Cow Tower say they are trapped in a catch-22 that prevents progress. The Cow Tower Dippers group, which regularly swims beside the medieval landmark, wants designation to increase scrutiny of pollution and water quality.

Green councillor Gary Champion, backing the swimmers, said efforts to improve water quality have become stuck in a loop. Campaigners face a dilemma because additional monitoring would come with bathing water designation, but proving the need for improvements is difficult without more testing. 'It is a catch-22 because to get it clean you have to get bathing status,' he said. 'That's the loop we are stuck in.'

Champlain highlighted that canoeists have capsized and become ill after taking on river water. He said the group put in an application for designation but it 'fell on deaf ears'. Bathing water designation would result in increased monitoring and testing at the location, providing river users with information about water quality.

The Department for Environment and Rural Affairs is responsible for designating bathing spots. The government's list of designated bathing waters in England was last updated in May 2026, and Cow Tower was not included. Campaigners said they would push to be on next year's list.

How it is being reported

• 'Catch-22' blocks bid for River Wensum bathing statusRiver Wensum campaigners in Norwich face a “catch-22” bid for bathing water status, with campaigners seeking more pollution testing and water quality monitoring.Norwich Evening News · 24 Oct, 06:00
• 'Catch-22' blocks bid for River Wensum bathing statusRiver Wensum campaigners in Norwich face a “catch-22” bid for bathing water status, with campaigners seeking more pollution testing and water quality monitoring.Eastern Daily Press · 24 Oct, 06:00

In this story: River Wensum · Cow Tower · Norwich · Cow Tower Dippers · Gary Champion · Department for Environment and Rural Affairs

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