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River Deben in Waldringfield, near Woodbridge, achieves official bathing water status to help protect water quality




A Suffolk swimming site is set to receive official bathing water status, meaning it will soon benefit from regular water quality monitoring.

A section of the River Deben at Waldringfield, near Woodbridge, will be given the designation ahead of the ahead of the 2023 bathing water season, Water Minister Rebecca Pow announced today.

The status, which has been granted following a two-week consultation, requires the Environment Agency to frequently test the water quality and assesses whether action is needed to cut pollution levels.

View of Woodbridge, Suffolk from the east bank of the River Deben.
View of Woodbridge, Suffolk from the east bank of the River Deben.

This brings the total number of bathing waters around the country to 424, with the bathing season running from May 15 to September 30.

The Government stated that 93 per cent of designated bathing waters are rated 'good' or 'excellent', citing "robust regulation".

Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey: “I’m delighted to announce that this popular swimming spot on the River Deben will now be monitored by the Environment Agency, starting this May, so bathers have up-to-date information on the quality of the water.

“We’ve worked hard in recent years to improve the quality of our beautiful rivers, lakes and coastal waters and our new Plan for Water will help us go further and faster on our targets.

“An incredible 93 per cent of our bathing waters are now considered to be of ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ status, and we will continue to push harder through stronger investment and regulation to secure top quality water for everyone.”



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