, Deputy First Minister & Cabinet Secretary
for Climate Change and Rural Affairs: Today marks a significant
and positive step forward in our journey to improve and protect
Wales' exceptional bathing waters. The laying of the Statutory
Instrument to strengthen the Bathing Water Regulations 2013 in
both the Senedd and UK Parliament sends a strong signal of our
shared commitment across governments to safeguarding the health
of our waters and the wellbeing of those who enjoy them. This
milestone reflects months of collaboration and dedication, and
sets the foundation for a more modern, responsive, and locally
attuned approach to bathing water management.
We are now moving ahead with a programme of meaningful reforms
that will strengthen protections and introduce greater
flexibility to meet local needs:
- The removal of automatic de-designation will ensure that
vital efforts to improve water quality are not halted before they
can have a lasting effect.
- Feasibility assessments of a site before it is designated
will allow us to take a more proactive and targeted approach to
creating safe, environmentally sustainable and appropriate
bathing sites the public can trust.
- Flexibility in the bathing season enables the adaptation of
the season to the local environment, keeping our policies in line
with changing environmental conditions and bathing patterns.
Complementing these core reforms are several technical amendments
designed to modernise practices, simplify regulatory processes,
and improve the overall effectiveness and efficiency of water
quality management. These updates will ensure the Bathing Water
Regulations remain fit for purpose, while minimising unnecessary
burdens on Natural Resources Wales.
With new guidance and tools being developed ahead of the 2026
bathing season, we are empowering applicants with the clarity and
confidence they need to navigate the new system. This is about
more than regulation, it's about enabling progress, supporting
outdoor bathing, and responding to the growing enthusiasm for
wild swimming and water-based wellbeing.
Wales is home to some of the most breathtaking beaches in Europe,
and we are proud to be taking action that will help keep them
that way. These reforms are a testament to what we can achieve
when we work together—across governments, regulators, and
communities—with a shared vision for cleaner, safer, and more
resilient waters. While this is an important step forward, it is
also part of a broader effort to enhance our water governance,
strengthen environmental protections, and ensure the highest
standards of water quality for generations to come.
Our commitment to protecting and enhancing Wales' natural
resources remains steadfast. By continuing to work
collaboratively, we can deliver lasting change and build a future
where everyone can enjoy the beauty, health, and sustainability
of Wales' bathing waters.
