Council blocks hopes of securing ‘special bathing water status’ for Bristol beauty spot

A grassroots campaign to apply for a section of the River Avon to be granted Designated Bathing Water Status has been effectively blocked by the council.

A group of residents and swimmers have been working for more than a year to tackle sewage pollution at the popular beauty spot at Conham River Park by Beeses and say the official recognition would have ensured the water was properly monitored.

Crucially, if harmful bacteria levels are consistently high in areas with specialist status, the Environment Agency is responsible for investigating the sources of pollution so water companies can be held to account and action taken to improve quality.

But Bristol City Council says bye-laws prohibiting swimming between the harbourside and Hanham Locks, as well as safety concerns, prevent it from being able to support the application.

As the landowner, the council’s approval is needed to apply for Designated Bathing Water Status, something now held by two other UK swimming sites at the River Wharfe in Yorkshire and the River Thames in Oxford.

The blow to the campaign comes in the week the newly-formed Office for Environmental Protection launched an investigation into the regulation of combined sewer overflows going into our waterways and England’s chief medical officer declared sewage pollution a public health issue, stating water companies are not doing enough.

Becca Blease, a member of Conham River Bathing Water group, says the lack of support from the council is a “major disappointment”.

“Our water sampling programme has shown that the bathing quality of the river can vary from poor to excellent,” says Becca.

“People have been swimming in this spot for generations and many respondents to our public survey mentioned how integral their enjoyment of the river is to their mental health and wellbeing.

“The crucial issue is not knowing when the quality has worsened due to sewage pollution. Alongside our sampling, we are now trialling an alerting system with Wessex Water when one of their storm overflows discharges untreated sewage in the area.

“Our hope was that an official designation of bathing water status would mean the Environment Agency could monitor the area too and put measures in place to actually improve the water quality. After all, if Bristol truly is a green city, shouldn’t it prohibit polluters not swimmers?”

A citizen science water sampling programme conducted last summer revealed the water quality along the stretch of the River Avon near Beeses ranges from excellent to very poor – photo: Conham River Bathing Water group

A spokesperson for Bristol City Council said: “Entering the tidal River Avon presents a number of risks including cold water shock, boat strike, hazardous objects under the water, strong currents and illness and infection.

“The stretch of river all the way up to Hanham Lock, including Conham River Park, is covered by our 2009 bye-laws, under which swimming is prohibited and there is a right to navigation. We are therefore unable to support the application for bathing water status at this time, which would encourage prohibited activity and carry significant risk from boats on the waterways.

“We are actively working towards introducing safe, managed and segregated swimming to the harbourside that can be kept free of boats and is subject to additional water sampling.”

Last year, Wessex Water discharged raw sewage directly into the river 23,524 times for a total duration of 151,258 hours, according to Environment Agency figures.

Conham River Bathing Water group say the Designated Bathing Water Status would have given them important clout in holding water companies to account.

A citizen science water sampling programme conducted last summer revealed the water quality along the stretch of the River Avon near Beeses ranges from excellent to very poor. One sample detected a concentration of E.coli that was 20 times the safe limit for bathing.

They argue that people will swim in and use the river for recreation regardless and need to have the information to make informed decisions.

It’s a view shared by professor Chris Whitty, chief medical officer for England, Jonson Cox, chair of water regulation body Ofwat, and Emma Howard Boyd, chair of the Environment Agency.

In a joint statement this week, they highlighted the growing problem of sewage pollution as a “serious public health issue”, stating “it is clear that the water companies are not doing enough”.

The written warning from the health and environment bosses went on to say: “Use of our rivers for recreation and exercise is something to celebrate and encourage. Children have always played in waterways and always will, irrespective of what notices are put up next to them.

“People of all ages use freshwater waterways such as rivers for recreation including swimming and various forms of boating. During lockdown many people took to swimming in rivers and have continued since. Our rivers, seas and waterways should therefore be free from sewage to reduce risk to the public.”

Avon Fire & Rescue however are adamant people should be discouraged from entering the water near Beeses, saying it “poses a significant threat to those that enter the water”

A sign prohibiting swimming at Conham River Park that’s been doctored to mention the benefits of water – photo: Ellie Pipe

Despite the setback, the Conham River Bathing Water group are continuing their efforts to tackle sewage pollution.

The group’s active monitoring programme, which is continuing this summer, not only shares the bacteriological information that the Environment Agency would provide, but it goes beyond this to look at other indicators of river health, including nitrates and phosphates that can threaten wildlife.

Besides seeking water quality enhancement for this particular stretch of the River Avon, they are keen to support and advise other community groups who are hoping to do the same for their local rivers.

People making the most of the water near Beeses – photo: Conham Bathing Water Group

Main photo: Conham River Bathing Water group

Read more: The group fighting to end sewage pollution in beloved Bristol swimming spot

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