Protecting Wild Waters: 13 new bathing waters announced across England

At Red, we believe everyone should have safe access to clean rivers, lakes and coastlines. That’s why we’re proud to partner with Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) through the Protecting Wild Waters programme, helping communities fight for cleaner waterways across the UK.

And 2026 marks a major milestone in that mission.

The Government has officially announced 13 new bathing waters across England, with nine of those sites supported through the Protecting Wild Waters programme delivered by SAS with support from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.

This is a huge win for local communities, campaigners and everyone who has worked tirelessly to protect the waters they love.

What Official Bathing Water Status Means

Achieving designated bathing water status is a critical step towards improving water quality.

Now that these sites have been officially recognised, regular water quality monitoring has begun, alongside clear plans and action pathways to improve conditions where needed. Increased testing also means greater transparency for communities using these waterways for swimming, paddling and recreation.

For many locations, this marks the beginning of long-overdue accountability around sewage pollution and river health.

Communities Driving Real Change

One of the most inspiring parts of this campaign has been the incredible community engagement behind each application.

Many of the consultation responses were directly linked to the swim tour and awareness work supported through our partnership with SAS. Local people came together to champion safer, cleaner waterways in remarkable numbers – demonstrating just how much these rivers and swimming spots matter to the communities around them.

The newly designated Thames bathing water site at Ham and Kingston has become a symbol of that momentum. Speaking to The Guardian, campaigner Marlene Lawrence described the achievement as: “Amazing for the river and for the many people who enjoy it.”

The designation marks the first official bathing water area on the River Thames in London – something many campaigners once believed would be impossible given the river’s long history of pollution.

Public support for these sites has been overwhelming, with reports showing record consultation engagement for the Thames application and around 90% of respondents backing the new bathing water designations.

A Growing Movement for Cleaner Water

Campaigners hope these new bathing water designations will become a catalyst for cleaner rivers nationwide.

As The Guardian reported, campaigners began pushing for river bathing water status to “drive a clean-up” of polluted waterways through more rigorous testing and public accountability.

Weekly monitoring by the Environment Agency throughout the bathing season will now provide communities with clearer information about water quality and help apply pressure for long-term improvements.

For outdoor swimmers, paddlers and water users, this progress matters deeply. One swimmer interviewed by The Guardian described the feeling of swimming outdoors as though: “You’ve conquered the world.”

That connection to nature, wellbeing and community is exactly why protecting wild waters matters.

Red’s Partnership with Surfers Against Sewage

Our partnership with Surfers Against Sewage continues to evolve as more communities take action to reclaim and protect their local waters.

At Red, we’re passionate about enabling people to enjoy the outdoors safely and responsibly. Supporting initiatives like Protecting Wild Waters is part of our wider commitment to safeguarding the environments that make those experiences possible.

From paddleboarding and wild swimming to family dips and coastal adventures, access to clean water matters to all of us.

These new bathing waters are proof that collective action works – and that real progress is possible when communities, campaigners and organisations come together.

But there’s still more work to do.

Together with Surfers Against Sewage, we’ll continue supporting the fight for cleaner, safer wild waters for everyone.