Designating bathing waters in Wales: guidance note

Designated bathing waters are monitored by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) during each bathing season (15 May – 30 September) for E. Coli and Intestinal Enterococci, two bacteria which pose a risk to human health. 

At the end of each year’s bathing season, the bathing waters are classified based on their bathing water monitoring results as excellent, good, sufficient, or poor. Throughout the season NRW publish bathing water quality monitoring results.

This informs bathers of water quality they can expect to encounter when visiting their bathing water.

Anyone can apply to designate a bathing water.

This guide is designed to help applicants effectively prepare and complete the bathing water application form, including the provision of relevant supporting information.

 The following questions may help you decide whether to apply for a bathing water designation:

Is the site currently used for swimming by a large number of bathers?

The test for designation under the bathing water regulations is whether there is an expectation of a large number of bathers. You will need to provide survey data clearly demonstrating that the site is already frequently used by a large number of bathers, along with evidence to support that this level of use is expected to continue in future years. This data will need to be verified. It will support your application if you can demonstrate that other informed stakeholders, for example the local authority, RNLI (if operating at the site), landowner or others with reasonable knowledge of the site, concur with your survey data. Further information on how you will need to do this is set out in the application form and sections below.

Are there facilities and infrastructure for bathers?

The available facilities will form part of Welsh Government’s consideration of whether a large number of bathers can be expected at the site. Relevant facilities may include parking, changing facilities, toilets, safety advice, lifeguarding, bathing water signage or litter bins, and ease of access to and egress from the water.

Will the local authority provide a letter of support?

Does the local authority support the application, and agree that the site is used by a large number of bathers?

Will the landowner provide a letter of support?

Does the landowner support the application, and agree that the site is used by a large number of bathers? The landowner may also have duties if the site is designated for nature conservation. You should not assume that you have access to any land or water without the landowner’s permission.

Is the site advertised or promoted as a place to bathe? 

For example, through signage, official websites, social media or bookable sessions. 

1. Applicant details

Any individual or organisation can apply for a site to be recognised as a bathing water. We need to have the details of the lead applicant and those of any supporting applicant (such as individuals helping to complete the bather survey) for any correspondence or validation relating to the application. Your details will not be shared with the public at any point in the designation process. 

2. Identifying your proposed bathing water

Ensure that the name of the site is in line with the current name which is commonly known or used locally to identify the location. This is to ensure there is consistent messaging and easy identification of bathing waters in Wales.

In your application, please include the following information to identify your nominated site:

• Name of proposed bathing water
• Address, including nearest postcode. This can be found on the Royal Mail website Postcode Finder - Find an address │ Royal Mail Group Ltd
• National Grid Reference.
• You also need to include a map with your application. This needs to include the area you are applying to be recognised as a bathing water, together with the point where most bathers are generally expected. 

3. Local Authority details 

The Bathing Water Regulations 2013 give specific duties to the local authority including erecting signage and responding to water pollution incidents which may impact the bathing water quality. Because of this, your local authority’s support is essential for the good management of a bathing water. We ask you to provide confirmation of support from someone with suitable authority within the Local Authority with your application. See section 5 for further information. 

Welsh Government will also need to consult with the local authority regarding the application, so we ask that you include relevant contact details to support this engagement.

4. Landowner details 

Under the Regulations NRW, sewerage undertakers, and the relevant Local Authority are given a number of statutory duties that they must carry out at designated bathing waters. If a site that is privately owned becomes designated as a bathing water, it is important that the landowner works collaboratively with these parties to ensure they can fulfil their duties.

The landowner has a legal requirement to allow authorised representatives from NRW and the local authority to access the bathing water for the purpose of undertaking statutory duties i.e., installation of signage, monitoring water quality and further investigatory work when required. This access is essential for conducting regular sampling and testing to assess compliance with the standards set by the Regulations. 

If pollution sources that contribute to poor water quality are identified at the designated bathing water, under the Regulations the person with control of the bathing water would be required to cooperate in addressing these sources. This could involve implementing best management practices to reduce pollution or participating in collaborative efforts with other stakeholders to mitigate environmental impacts.

Therefore, landowner support is essential for the good management of a bathing water and we request that confirmation of support is included with your application. 

Welsh Government will also need to notify the landowner regarding the application, so we ask that you include relevant contact details to support this engagement. See section 5 for further information.

5. Number of bathers 

This is the most important part of your application. 

Applications for bathing water designation must clearly demonstrate that the site is expected to receive a large number of bathers.

We consider evidence of the number of swimmers and paddlers during the most recent bathing season. We also consider whether bather numbers are likely to remain stable or increase post-designation in future years. While not required, historical data demonstrating the site's usage can also be provided and will be considered as supporting evidence.

Welsh Government considers a bather as a person (adult or child) who submerges their body in water i.e. intentionally swimming or paddling.  A paddler for the purposes of counting bathers is someone standing, sitting or playing in shallow water. Other recreational water users such as paddleboarders, canoeists, kayakers, or surfers are not considered bathers for the purposes of bathing water designation.

To apply for your site to be recognised you must be able to evidence that the site is expected to receive a large number of bathers. Further information on the definition of a large number of bathers is provided below.

Bather survey

During the bathing season (15 May to 30 September) you must undertake a structured survey on a total of at least 20 days to provide evidence that your site is used by at least the following number of bathers: 

For coastal sites: 

• Typical bather number days: Undertake bather surveys for four hours on at least 20 days to establish a reliable usage pattern and avoid one-off anomalies and
• Peak bather number days: On 5 or more separate days throughout the bathing season your survey must show the site is used by at least 100 bathers in any four hours. 

For inland sites:

• Typical bather number days: Undertake bather surveys for four hours on at least 20 days to establish a reliable usage pattern and avoid one-off anomalies.
• Peak bather number days: on 5 or more separate days throughout the bathing season have at least 50 bathers in any four hours. 

Please note that this represents the minimum information required for the Welsh Government to consider a bathing water designation. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee that a designation will be made, nor should it be viewed as a target or expectation of approval.

Your survey should:

• Include all required information, a survey template to help you is provided in Annex A.
• Be undertaken by a suitable person, it does not have to be the same person on each occasion. Any change in surveyor should be clearly identified.
• Clearly show the time, date, and number of bathers during each survey occasion.
• Cover at least 20 days over the bathing season (15^th May to 30^th September). These days do not have to be consecutive and should include both weekdays and weekends to capture variations. This is the minimum expectation for your site to be considered.
• Your survey must include bather numbers recorded during the busiest 4 hours of each day surveyed, the hours do not need to be consecutive and should best represent your site.
• Be confirmed with appropriate timed and dated photographs which must be included with your application. See the section below for guidance on the photographs.
• Surveys designed to capture regular swim groups are encouraged.
• You may include other recreational water users to give a full picture of water usage however these must be identified separately from bathers.

Your survey should not:

• Include special events that only take place occasionally. However, you are welcome to include this information as clearly labelled additional supporting information. 

Additional supporting data can be supplied by stakeholders such as beach users, lifeguards, local businesses, swimming groups and tourism offices to verify your survey data and determine perceived bather numbers. 

Please advise whether the landowner and the local authority are aware of your intention to seek designation of the site, their views on the application, and where available any supporting information they have on whether the site meets the regulatory test as set out in the site suitability section. If there is any part of the application that is contested, please provide further details. 

Photograph guidance

Photographs must be included with your application to verify the bather survey. Photographs must:

• Be taken far enough away so people cannot be identified.
• Show evidence of bathing and/or paddling in the water.
• Show the whole area where most people bathe.
• Be marked with the date, time, and location.
• Include a minimum of three photographs per day surveyed.
  • the beginning and end of each survey and be taken during the busiest period.

Please take measures to ensure that members of the public are not identifiable in your photographs. 

6. Facilities

Applications for bathing water designation should also include information about facilities for bathers at or near the site. For example: 

• reasonable access to and egress from the water e.g. is there a need to climb over obstacles?
• parking facilities.
• public transport.
• site access (including disabled access).
• toilets / changing facilities. If the toilet facilities are on a business premises, please include confirmation from the business owner that the toilets can be used by bathers.
• lifeguards.
• swim clubs, swimming teachers, coaches or guides.
• first aid facilities.
• litter bins / foul bins.
• cafés, shops or kiosks.

7. Evidence of measures to promote bathing 

Is the site currently being promoted as somewhere for bathing? For example, this may be through current signage, leaflets, access permissions, official websites, social media or bookable sessions. If new measures are planned, details should also be included. 

8. Consideration of environmental protections

It is important that you are aware of environmental protections that are in place under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017.

Sites that have environmental protections may still be suitable for bathing, but you should identify whether your site is located within a Special Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI) or Special Area of Conservation (SAC). If it is, you may need to contact NRW to understand whether they have granted consent for bathing within the protected area. The consent process allows NRW to assess potential impact of bathing on the site and ensure it does not adversely affect important habitats and species.

Where NRW has not already provided consent for bathing, you may need to liaise with the landowner to initiate the consent process.

Additional information regarding SSSIs can be found on the NRW website.

9. Prohibited or advice against bathing 

Bathing water designation does not imply that a site is safer than any other water body. Responsibility for personal safety in the water remains with the individual. Furthermore, designation does not alter any existing liabilities; the regulations are focused solely on ensuring that the site is appropriately monitored for water quality.

Applications for bathing water designation would not be considered where the physical risk is so significant that the Local Authority, landowner, or competent body such as the RNLI has put in place measures to permanently prohibit or advised against bathing. 

If you are unsure whether bathing is permitted, please contact the relevant Local Authority or landowner.

10. Consulting stakeholders 

Applications should capture and document the views of local representatives. This helps ensure that the application process remains inclusive and transparent, while considering the concerns, insights, and perspectives of the local community. These include but are not limited to: 

• Bathers and other bathing water users, including swimming clubs/groups.
• Owners and operators of nearby businesses, e.g. cafes and shops.
• Public Health Bodies – e.g. Public Health Wales, local health board.
• NRW.
• Neighbourhood and Community groups.
• Local environmental and civic groups.
• Agricultural representatives.
• Local and County Councils.
• Local tourist office or other local tourism body.
• Local Chamber of Commerce.
• Local regeneration office or other local regeneration body.
• The general public.
• Keep Wales Tidy (who administer the Blue Flag Awards).
• The relevant landowner and Local Authority.
• The relevant statutory sewage undertaker. 

Make sure that everyone who you consult is aware that their response will be included in your application. You should not identify organisations, businesses, and individuals that ask to remain anonymous.

11. Signature 

Lead and supporting applicants are required to sign the application to confirm that the information provided is accurate. This signature serves as a formal assurance that the details submitted are truthful and reliable, helping to maintain the integrity of the application process. It also ensures accountability, as all parties are affirming their responsibility for the accuracy of the information, which is vital for making informed and fair decisions in which public funds will be allocated.

Please submit your application form and supporting information for the current bathing season by 31 October for the site to be considered for designation. 

Bathing water applications can vary in complexity and are considered on a case-by-case basis. For certain applications, the Welsh Government may request additional information from applicants or undertake extended investigations which may prolong the time taken to make a decision on designation. The Welsh Government will advise applicants if further information is required or an outcome is held under review.

Applications can be submitted:

• Via email: water@gov.wales
• Via post: 

Water Branch, 
Welsh Government
Cathays Park
Cardiff
CF10 3NQ

All applications and evidence received by the Welsh Government will be   acknowledged by letter or email. 

All applications will be assessed by the Welsh Government. If the application meets the criteria as set out above, the Welsh Government will run a public consultation to seek views on whether the site should be designated as a bathing water. If the application does not meet the criteria, applicants will be notified by letter or email. 

A final decision will be published along with a response to consultation ahead of the start of the next bathing season (15 May).

Your application may be held and further detail requested. If your application is held, a decision on whether the site will be designated will be made by 31 October of that year. 

If an application is declined, the Welsh Government will inform the applicant and explain the reasons for the decision. Applicants are welcome to re-apply for the following bathing season.

For further assistance, please contact the following:

• The application or designation process: contact Welsh Government at water@gov.wales
• Environmental / SSSI protections: contact Natural Resources Wales at: enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

To find more information on the relevant Local Authority or landowner:

• Landowner details: get information about property and land.
• Local Authority details: find your local authority.