England’s coasts, lakes, and rivers are a source of joy. Wild swimming clubs meet at dawn, and children splash in shallow bays. Yet the water quality in many places is under strain. When it rains hard, ageing networks struggle to cope, so storm overflows release untreated sewage. This mix, combined with litter and farm runoff, pushes bacteria and chemicals into the water.
Across England, a strong, people-led campaign is pushing for cleaner, safer swimming spots. Surfers Against Sewage, the Rivers Trust, and many local groups are calling for action on sewage spills and other pollution. Pressure has grown after reports of over 400,000 sewage discharges in 2024 that affected beaches and rivers.
Surfers Against Sewage has a map where you can check the water quality for wild swims. Often due to raw sewage, the waters are no longer safe, as well as oil and plastic pollution. SAS says that if the water is brown and ‘smells like shit’, it probably is. You can report raw sewage.
Read our post on keeping dogs safe by the seaside.
The Pollution Crisis in England’s Seas
England has recently fallen to the bottom of the European clean waters chart, with charges of being ‘the dirty man of Europe’. Around 60% of England’s beaches are now deemed safe for swimming, compared to over 80% in mainland Europe.
People are rightly appalled by the disgusting state of the UK’s rivers, lakes and beaches. Clean water should be guaranteed for all, and no-one should have to risk health, simply by enjoying a swim or paddle on a sunny day. Best for Britain
High counts of E. coli, intestinal enterococci, and other pathogens raise the risk of stomach bugs, ear infections, and skin rashes. Water can look clear yet still be unsafe, which makes trusted alerts and testing so important. Popular stretches of the Thames have faced no-swim advisories after heavy rain. Some Cornish beaches report spikes in contamination after storm events. The Lake District has sewage pollution and plastic litter.
Fish, invertebrates, and seabirds are part of a fragile web. Microplastics enter the food chain, sludge coats riverbeds, and oxygen levels drop. There are odd smells after a downpour, more red or amber warnings on water quality apps. The wider cost lands on health, tourism, and community pride.
Sewage Spills and Their Hidden Health Risks
Storm overflows act like pressure valves during heavy rain. When they open, untreated sewage flows into rivers and seas. The result is a spike in bacteria and viruses that can make swimmers ill. Stomach bugs are common, along with ear, throat, and eye infections. Cuts can get infected more easily in dirty water.
Other Polluters: Plastics and Runoff from Farms
Sewage is not the only problem. Microplastics from litter and worn synthetic clothing (a reason to use microfibre filters when laundering) turn up in sand and silt. Fertilisers, pesticides, and slurry wash off fields in the rain, feeding algal blooms and lowering oxygen. A reason to support organic farming.
The Campaign for Safer Swims
Campaigners support strong reforms, including proposals like the Water (Special Measures) Bill, tighter targets for storm overflows, and meaningful fines for repeated breaches. These calls are backed by science, citizen monitoring, and real stories from swimmers and surfers.
Pushing for Tougher Rules on Water Companies
The campaign calls for serious fines for repeat polluters, clear targets, and public dashboards that track progress. It backs major investment in storage tanks, pipe upgrades, and green infrastructure like reedbeds and wetlands.
For swimmers, the benefits are clear. More consistent testing, more Blue Flag beaches, and fewer no-swim days after rain.
Community Clean-Ups and Monitoring Efforts
People-powered action delivers quick wins. From volunteer beach cleans to river test kits to collect data, this focuses on stronger public reporting, and pressure on business and councils to do more for cleaner shores.
You do not need to live by the sea to help. Your voice and choices carry weight. Choosing products with less plastic cuts waste at the source. Report pollution to the Environment Agency.
The Rivers Trust works with communities and farms to reduce runoff (that ends up in the sea) and restore habitats. Local swim clubs build a culture of care, from rubbish picks to safety briefings.
The Clean Waters of Croatia’s Coast
Croatia (which used to be part of Yugoslavia) has a beautiful coast that borders Italy on the Adriatic Sea. The country is ranked first for the quality of its swimming water by European Environmental Agency, leading its main income to be tourism.
It’s also home to the Danube (the second longest river in Europe) which is also clean, and protected forests, mountains and nature reserves. It even has its own ‘Lake District’ with waterfalls that cascade over dolomite and limestone, with pretty colours of turquoise or even mint!
Some people remark that this sea is so clean, it looks like glass. The Dalmatian region, the islands of Hvar and Vis, and the Istrian peninsula all feature beaches where visibility below can reach 30 metres on still days.
Reasons behind this pristine quality? Strict bathing water rules and testing coastal waters each season. Around 95% of sites meet bathing standards, which also supports healthy ecosystems.
Local councils have also upgraded wastewater systems and added regular monitoring. Many resorts clean beaches daily and post water-quality notices, while small harbours restrict discharges. This also leads to fewer algal blooms, which helps local fish, birds and marine creatures.
Croatia also has a deposit return scheme for bottles and cans (our pending legislation has been delayed in England, because the English government does not want to include glass, for some baffling reason). This means fewer floating rubbish in the sea, and cleaner beaches.
