Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Bathing Water (Amendment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2025, what she plans to extend these protections to all recreational water users.

Bathing waters are one of the most visible ways in which the public interacts with the water environment and so it is critical that appropriate regulations meet the needs of water users and those involved with managing bathing water sites.

In the November – December 2024 consultation on bathing water reforms, we asked respondents about the expansion of the definition of ‘bathers’ to include other water users. 90% of respondents either agreed or strongly agreed with this proposal and gave suggestions of what water users should be included. We are now exploring further research to determine how best to implement this reform and consider any potential environmental and societal impacts. Defra will engage with local and national stakeholders as this work progresses.