Bathing waters across the South East, especially here in Worthing and Arun, have achieved their highest ever ratings in Defra’s Bathing Water summer sampling regime.
Here in Worthing, the quality of bathing water has increased from 'Sufficient' in 2019 to 'Good' in 2021. Likewise along the Arun coast, the 5 bathing water ratings have increased from two 'excellent' and three 'good' in 2019 to three 'excellent' and two 'good' in 2021.
Many will know that I was vocal in calling for stricter regulations around sewage overflow discharge into our water sources. Sewage overflow is but one of many factors that affects the quality of our waters.
I will continue to work with the new management team at Southern Water, in close collaboration with our local councils, regulators and organisations, to continue to increase the standard of our bathing waters.
The recognition of our high-quality bathing waters only emboldens our work to further defend the quality of our waters.
