'Poor' water rating prompts charity's action call

A river charity has called for urgent action after a newly designated bathing site's water quality was rated as "poor".

The River Ribble at Edisford Bridge in Clitheroe was one of three sites in Lancashire - along with Blackpool North and St Anne's North - which failed Environment Agency (EA) tests.

The Ribble Rivers Trust said the "disappointing but not surprising" results should be seen as a "call to action for strengthening regulations and addressing the root causes of pollution".

The government said the results were "unacceptable".

The EA's tests monitor for sources of pollution known to be a risk to bathers’ health, specifically E. coli and intestinal enterococci.

It said about one in 12 of England's official swimming spots failed to meet water quality standards during the official swimming season between May and September, with 37 sites rated as "poor".

Jack Spees, chief executive of the Ribble Rivers Trust, said Edisford Bridge was a hugely valuable space to swimmers, paddlers, and other water users.

He said he would like monitoring extending to more than 20 weeks each year for a "more comprehensive picture of water quality issues" and to increase accountability for pollution outside the summer season.

Mr Spees said he would also like multiple monitoring points to "improve the accuracy of ratings, help pinpoint pollution sources, and provide water users with more detailed information about safety".

And he warned: "If we fail to act, we risk losing spaces like Edisford Bridge."

An EA spokesperson said: "We understand the frustration felt by the community at Edisford Bridge, and the poor classification result makes us even more committed to working with our partners to improve water quality at this important tourist destination."

Carol Holt, the EA's director for Cumbria and Lancashire, said action plans were in place for sites classified as "poor", to investigate and address sources of pollution.

She said: "Wet weather conditions towards the end of the season have impacted this year’s results due to the effects of land runoff and storm overflows alongside other complex factors such as local development and environmental changes."

Water Minister Emma Hardy said the figures were "unacceptable".

"That’s why we are placing water companies under special measures through the Water Bill, which will strengthen regulation including new powers to ban the payment of bonuses for polluting water bosses and bring criminal charges against persistent law breakers."

She added the government had launched a review of the water sector aimed at helping to "clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good".

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