Designating bathing waters in Wales: guidance note

Designated bathing waters are monitored by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) during each bathing season 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 on their website. 

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.

Please read this guidance carefully, as there are new requirements for bathing water applications. This is because of updated Regulations: Bathing Water Regulations 2013 as amended by the Bathing Water Regulations 2025

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 may strengthen your application if you can demonstrate that other informed stakeholders, for example the local authority, lifeguards (if operating at the site), landowner or others with reasonable knowledge of the site, concur with your survey data. Further information, including a definition of a large number of bathers on how you will need to do this is set out in the application form and sections below. 
 

Are there any factors that may prevent the site from being designated? 

Following the amendments to the Bathing Water Regulations 2025, additional elements are considered when looking at whether a site is suitable for designation as a bathing water.

These include: 

• Likely impact on Environmental protections in place at the site
• Whether there is likely to be a significant risk to the physical safety to bathers due to features of the location that might create risks exceeding those normally associated with open water swimming. 
• Water quality – if the site’s water quality is very poor and improving it to a sufficient classification is either not feasible or would come at a disproportionately high cost.
  You will need to confirm whether there are any environmental protection measures in place at the bathing site, as well as any physical dangers. Further information on what you will need to consider 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, signs relating to bathing, signs relating to bathing safety, 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 have a view on the application, and whether the site is used by a large number of bathers?  This letter should also confirm that bathing is not prohibited, whether the location is likely to pose a significant physical safety risk to bathers arising from the features of the site — that is, a risk greater than would normally be expected at open water bathing locations. The local authority should also be contacted for information on any significant water quality concerns. We have drafted guidance for local authorities to assist you in providing the necessary information. 
 

Will the landowner provide a letter of support? 

Does the landowner have a view on the application, and whether 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. This letter should also comment on whether the location is likely to pose a significant physical safety risk to bathers arising from the features of the site — that is, a risk greater than would normally be expected at open water bathing locations. We have drafted guidance for landowners to assist you in providing the necessary information.
 

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 personal 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 as amended by the Bathing Water Regulations 2025 (hereafter the Regulations) 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 engagement is essential for the good management of a bathing water. We ask you to provide details of any engagement you have had with the Local Authority in your application. See section 5 for further information. If no response is received provide details of contact including date and how contact was initiated. 

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 engagement is essential for the good management of a bathing water, and we request that any engagement you have had with the landowner is detailed in 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 sections 5 and 7 for further information. If you initiate contact and no response is received provide details of contact including date and how contact was initiated

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 national bathing season for Wales 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 national bathing season for Wales. 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. 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. This will be a factor when considering the site for designation. 

Sites that have environmental protections may still be suitable for bathing, but you should identify whether your site is located within a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

You will need to contact NRW to confirm whether the site lies within an SSSI or other protected area. If it does, NRW can advise whether recreation (including swimming) is identified as an activity that could damage the site’s special interest. In these cases, NRW can also confirm whether the landowner already holds consent for bathing within the protected area. This consent process enables NRW to assess the potential impact of bathing on the site and ensure it does not adversely affect important habitats or species.

If consent for bathing has not previously been granted, you may wish to liaise with the landowner to initiate the consent process.

In this section, you should detail whether a site is located within an area of environmental protection, and whether consent has been granted by NRW for bathing or if it is being sought. 

Information regarding SSSIs can also be found on the NRW website. Using this website you will be able to check whether your location is in a site designated for nature conservation, and whether recreation is listed as an activity likely to damage a site’s special interest.

7. 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 or landowner has put in place measures to permanently prohibit or advise against bathing. 

You should contact the landowner and local authority and include views from these parties on whether or not there is likely to be a significant risk to the physical safety to bathers due to features of the location that might create risks in exceeding those normally associated with open water swimming. 

You should also contact local rescue services (HM coastguard (coastal waters) fire and rescue service (inland waters), landowner and local authority for information on recorded bathing safety incidents at the location over the past 5 years.

In this section you should include:

-    whether the site has measures in place to permanently prohibit or advise against bathing.
-    any information provided by the landowner or local authority that the location does not present a physical safety risk in excess of the usual dangers associated with open water swimming.
-    Any information on recorded incidents at the location over the past 5 years.
-    any dangers to physical safety you may be aware of that are not covered above.

8. Water quality

You should contact NRW and the Local Authority’s environmental health team to confirm whether there are any significant water quality concerns. In this section, you should summarise any indications from NRW or the environmental health team regarding potential water quality issues.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. Consulting stakeholders 

Applications should capture and document the views of local representatives where known. This helps ensure that the application process remains inclusive and transparent, while considering the concerns, insights, and perspectives of the local community. These may 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.

12. 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 15 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 there appears to be a case for designation from the initial information provided the Welsh Government will run a public consultation, the results of which will be considered alongside all other evidence.   

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

Your application may be held while further detail is sought, in this instance applicants will be notified by letter or email. In such cases, any designation decision would be deferred until the bathing season after the next.

If an application is declined, for example where an application is incomplete, does not include the required detail, or where there it is clear the site does not meet the criteria to be recognised as a designated bathing water, 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 (GOV.UK).
• Local Authority details: find your local authority.