Experts from the Environment Agency, Wessex Water, Somerset Wildlife Trust, and Friends of French Weir Park will be available to answer questions about the River Tone bathing water. This event will take place at the COACH Community Hub in French Weir Park on Saturday, 21 June 2025, from 10 am to 1 pm. These organisations are part of a steering group working together to improve the quality of bathing water at this site, which was officially designated as a bathing water area in 2024.
What Does ‘Designated Bathing Water’ Mean?
When a site is designated as a bathing water area, it means regular water samples are taken during set times of the year. These samples test for bacteria such as E. Coli and intestinal enterococci, which can affect the safety of the water for activities like swimming. However, just because a site is designated doesn’t mean it automatically meets public hygiene standards for safe swimming — which is a key challenge the new group is working to solve.
Why Is Water Quality Important?
Jim Flory from the Environment Agency explains that there are strict rules about what can go into rivers to protect wildlife and the river’s natural ecology. But the rules to protect human health, especially for swimming, are even higher. To improve water quality, the group must find the sources of pollution affecting the River Tone. The public can help by doing simple things such as picking up dog waste and properly maintaining septic tanks. These actions will allow experts to focus on bigger pollution problems.
Monitoring and Public Information
All water sample results from this monitoring season will be available online through the Swimfo website. This helps people make informed choices before swimming. Officers from the Environment Agency will also patrol the area around the River Tone, looking for visible pollution sources and inspecting pipes or equipment that discharge water into the river.
Background on Bathing Water Quality in England
In 2024, there were 450 designated bathing waters in England. Each site is sampled multiple times and classified based on water quality as Excellent, Good, Sufficient, or Poor. The Environment Agency took over 7,400 samples during the last bathing season, with up to 20 samples taken at each designated site.
The standards used to judge water quality are based on science from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the EU Bathing Water Directive, which England’s Bathing Water Regulations follow. These guidelines ensure that bathing waters are safe for people and wildlife.
The upcoming community event at French Weir Park is a great chance to learn more about the River Tone bathing water and how local groups are working to improve its quality. While the site is newly designated for bathing, ongoing efforts and public support are needed to make sure the water is safe for swimmers and wildlife. By understanding pollution sources and taking simple actions, the community can help protect this valuable natural resource for everyone to enjoy.
