Is your beach safe for swimming?

Reports of untreated sewage being dumped into our seas could take the shine off your UK beach break.

Unlucky swimmers have reported finding themselves engulfed by effluent while bathing in our oceans and rivers. Some have even fallen ill as a result. 

In 2023, there were 464,056 sewage spills in England, according to the Environment Agency. That's an average of 1,271 sewage spills per day – a 54% increase on the year before. 

Water companies are only supposed to use sewer overflows – which empty untreated sewage into our rivers and seas – in exceptional circumstances, or during periods of heavy rainfall, to stop water backing up into homes. 

But the data suggests that discharges are also happening in dry weather – a practice which is potentially illegal.

Read on to find out how you can check the water quality at your local beach before taking the plunge.

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How to check for sewage at beaches near you

You can make sure your trip to the coast won’t be blighted by pollution before leaving the house.

The Safer Seas & Rivers Service app alerts users in real time when untreated sewage is discharged into the sea or when water quality is affected by extreme weather.

The free-to-use app covers 200 locations across the UK. Just type the name of the beach into the search bar to check if any water quality alerts are in place before you travel.

Always be extra cautious after spells of heavy rainfall when surface water is washed into our rivers and seas. This can contain pollution from urban and agricultural run-off, as well as leakage from septic tanks.

Can’t find your local beach on the app? The Environment Agency website Swimfo allows you to check water quality at more than 400 locations. 

Signs at the beach will also alert you if the sea is potentially unsafe for swimming. You should wait a minimum of 48 hours before entering the water after a sewage spill or a period of heavy rainfall. 

Are our rivers safe for swimming?

Wild swimming, kayaking and paddle boarding have grown in popularity in recent years on our waterways

However, a report by The River’s Trust found that 85% of England’s river stretches fell below 'good ecological standards' – far worse than in Scotland or Wales. 

See the rivers that were subjected to the most sewage spills with the organisation's interactive map.

By the end of 2024  all water companies are expected to provide data showing recent storm overflows to keep the public better informed.

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Sewage in our rivers and seas: what are the health risks?

Pollution is not just spoiling our favourite swim spots, it is destroying delicate ecosystems and killing our wildlife. It also has the potential to make us sick.

The pathogens in human sewage can cause stomach upsets, like gastroenteritis and E.coli – with symptoms including vomiting, abdominal cramps, fever and diarrhoea. 

But swallowing contaminated water isn’t the only danger. Cuts and grazes can allow bacteria and viruses to enter the body, which can cause infection. Bathing in polluted water can also trigger ear and eye infections.

Read more on why our rivers and seas are so polluted

What are water companies doing about sewage discharges?

Consumers in England and Wales face a sharp rise in their water bills to update their infrastructure and stop sewage spills. 

The average bill will go up by £19 a year on average for five years – a total of £94 – after industry regulator Ofwat gave permission for the price hikes. The exact figures, which exclude inflation, will vary depending on where you live. 

While water companies have signed up to government reforms to clean up our waterways, they have already argued that the proposed price rises won’t be enough to fix the problem.

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