Environment Agency reports 98% of Cornwall and Devon bathing waters meet quality standards

Nearly all bathing waters in Cornwall and Devon have met national quality standards this year, according to new data released by the Environment Agency. The 2025 bathing water classifications show that 98% of monitored sites across the two counties achieved ratings of ‘Excellent’, ‘Good’ or ‘Sufficient’.
The region is home to a third of England’s designated bathing waters, making water quality vital not only for the tourism industry but also for local communities. Of the 154 sites sampled this season, 129 were rated ‘Excellent’, 20 ‘Good’, two ‘Sufficient’ and three ‘Poor’.
Nationwide, 87% of England’s 449 bathing waters met the ‘Excellent’ or ‘Good’ threshold - an improvement on 2024, the Environment Agency confirmed.
The agency said inspections of water company infrastructure had been stepped up in response to public concerns over pollution. Last year, 335 South West Water sites and assets were inspected, with the total number of checks expected to double by April 2026 as part of a programme targeting 10,000 inspections.
Environmental sensitivity guides the agency’s inspection priorities, focusing on locations impacting bathing waters and rivers that are failing to meet environmental standards.
Bruce Newport of the Environment Agency said:
“The beaches of Devon and Cornwall are arguably the best in England. Keeping up a high standard of bathing water quality is key.
“We sample, we gather data and we find ways to act on what we find. Holding water companies to their obligations is one of those ways.”
Bathing water quality in England has significantly improved since the 1990s, driven by regulation, investment and collaboration between government bodies and local partners. Results are based on four years of sampling for bacteria linked to risks to swimmers’ health, including E. coli and intestinal enterococci.
Multiple factors continue to influence water quality, from storm overflows and agricultural run-off to wildlife and local environmental pressures.
Alan Lovell, Chair of the Environment Agency, said:
“Bathing water quality in England has improved significantly over recent decades, and this year’s results show the continued impact of strong regulation, investment and partnership working.
“But we know there is more to do, and the new bathing water reforms will strengthen the way these much-loved places are managed.
“The Environment Agency is working closely with Defra to ensure these changes are implemented effectively whilst our teams continue to work with water companies, farmers, councils and local groups to tackle all sources of pollution and support continued progress across sites.”
New Bathing Water Regulation reforms, which came into force on 21 November, aim to modernise the way sites are monitored and managed. The changes are intended to better reflect how people use beaches, rivers and lakes throughout the year.
Under the updated rules, bathing waters will no longer lose their designation automatically after five consecutive years of ‘Poor’ ratings. Instead, regulators will assess underlying issues and explore options for improvement. Monitoring dates will also become more flexible to accommodate site-specific conditions. A third reform, updated criteria for designating bathing waters, will take effect in May 2026.
Water Minister Emma Hardy said:
“Our bathing waters are at the heart of so many communities, and these reforms will help people experience the benefits of our beautiful waters and connect with nature.
“By ending automatic de-designation and bringing in more flexibility to when waters are monitored, we’re creating a system that reflects how people actually use their local rivers, lakes and beaches.
“These changes sit alongside our wider action to clean up our waterways so communities across the country can enjoy the places they care about most.”
The public can access real-time bathing water information, including the latest classifications and pollution alerts, through the Environment Agency’s Swimfo online service.