Length of bathing season in England
This survey seeks views on whether the dates of the bathing season in England should be amended.
The closing date for this survey has been extended until 8 October 2013.
The bathing season is when beaches and lakes designated under the EU Bathing Water Directive (76/160/EEC, revised by 2006/7/EC) are monitored for compliance with the Directive’s water quality standards. The season currently runs from 15 May to 30 September and this could be amended to lengthen or reduce the season or could be set on a regional or individual basis. The Directive does not specify any minimum or maximum length for the bathing season.
Depending on the outcome of this survey, an Impact Assessment will be prepared and a detailed consultation will be carried out with those who have legal duties under the Regulations over the winter of 2013/14. A final decision would be based on evidence of the patterns of usage at bathing waters in different areas or at individual bathing waters.