Government says non-designated rivers managed for wildlife, not swimmers

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 15:28 · Archive

The Government has told Wiltshire Council that non-designated rivers are managed to protect fish and wildlife rather than swimmers' health.

The Government has told Wiltshire Council that rivers not officially designated as bathing waters are managed primarily to protect fish and wildlife rather than swimmers' health. The response came after Wiltshire Council approved a motion in July calling for stronger monitoring and action across the wider Avon catchment, following concerns over people becoming ill after swimming in local rivers.

Council leader Cllr Ian Thorn wrote to the Environment Secretary arguing that Wiltshire's rivers 'should by default be safe places to swim or bathe, not by exception'. The Government response, received on 9 October, explained that anyone can apply to have a location designated as bathing water, though applications must undergo formal assessment against statutory criteria.

Once designated, the Environment Agency regularly tests water quality during the official bathing season from 15 May to 30 September, with information made public. But for non-designated waters, the Government said rivers are managed primarily to protect fish and wildlife rather than human health, with the Environment Agency monitoring their ecological health instead, including insect and plant communities, as an indicator of water quality.

The Government said work is also under way with Wessex Water to install continuous water-quality monitoring at Amesbury, Pewsey, Ratfyn near Amesbury, and Downton treatment works by 2030.

Government says non-designated rivers managed for wildlife, not swimmers — Image: Gazette & Herald

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How it is being reported

Environment Agency says Wiltshire rivers not kept safe for swimmersRivers and other open waters that are not officially designated as bathing waters are managed primarily to protect fish and wildlife rather than the health of swimmers, the Government has told Wiltshire Council.Gazette & Herald · 13 Oct, 15:05
Environment Agency says Wiltshire rivers not kept safe for swimmersRivers and other open waters that are not officially designated as bathing waters are managed primarily to protect fish and wildlife rather than the health of swimmers, the Government has told Wiltshire Council.Swindon Advertiser · 13 Oct, 15:05
Environment Agency says Wiltshire rivers not kept safe for swimmersRivers and other open waters that are not officially designated as bathing waters are managed primarily to protect fish and wildlife rather than the health of swimmers, the Government has told Wiltshire Council.Wiltshire Times · 13 Oct, 15:05
Government says non-designated rivers are managed for wildlife, not swimmersGovernment tells Wiltshire Council non-designated rivers protect wildlife, not swimmers, amid public health concerns and calls for river water-quality monitoring.Salisbury Journal · 13 Oct, 14:32

In this story: Wiltshire Council · Environment Agency · Wessex Water · Cllr Ian Thorn · Wiltshire · River Till · Avon catchment

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