Welsh Government has published the bathing water scores for 109 beaches and lakes around Wales. Once a bathing water has been designated, the water quality is tested by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) during the bathing season, which runs from 15 May to 30 September.

Designated bathing waters are classified as excellent, good, sufficient or poor depending on water quality sampling results. The bathing water quality classifications are based on two microbiological parameters: intestinal enterococci and E.coli.

The results come in a year in which Welsh Water/Dwr Cymru and other UK water firms have been under fire for discharging sewage into rivers and the sea.

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The four classifications of bathing water quality:

• Excellent – the highest, cleanest water quality
• Good – generally good water quality
• Sufficient – the water meets the minimum standard
• Poor – the water has not met the minimum standard

An ‘excellent’ classification is one of the essential criteria for obtaining a Blue Flag accreditation, one of the world’s most recognised voluntary eco-labels. Two beaches at Tenby North and Aberdyfi have moved up from ‘good’ to ‘excellent’ classifications, making them eligible to apply for the coveted Blue Flag status.

But the water quality at two beaches in key North Wales resorts were only rated as "sufficient". These were Llandudno's North Shore and Rhyl's main beach. It doesn't mean they failed the required minimum standard but work is needed if they want to qualify for Blue Flag awards in the future.

The water was though rated better at Llandudno's West Shore and also Rhyl East beach and nearby Prestatyn, which was classed as excellent.

Rhyl has also seen an improvement at Marine Lake - which has moved to sufficient after failing the quality test last year.

Climate Change Minister Julie James said: "Wales is recognised internationally as having some of the best beaches and water quality in Europe, and high bathing water quality is vital to continue supporting valuable outdoor water recreation opportunities.

"We will continue to work with local communities and water companies to identify what action is needed to meet and exceed the required standards."

Thanks to collaborative working between Denbighshire County Council, Natural Resources Wales and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, the water quality issues that led to last year’s poor result at Marine Lake were identified and swiftly addressed.

Clare Pillman, Chief Executive of Natural Resources Wales, said: "We are entirely committed to protecting and improving the quality of our coastal waters and rivers for people and nature, and each year, a tremendous amount of unseen work takes place to tackle sources of pollution across the country.

"While we celebrate our spectacular coastline and world-class beaches, we know that now is a pivotal time for change, not complacency. There is still much work to be done to safeguard our bathing waters. The only way to get our water quality to the state we want is to recognise that everyone has a role to play. We must all raise our game now and strive to achieve the waters we want for ourselves and for future generations."

Bathing water quality reporting is highly perceptible to climatic changes, in particular periods of heavy rainfall. Climate change is blamed for an increase in heavier bouts of rain on a regular basis.

Wales already receives more rainfall on average than other parts of the UK and this year was no exception. In July, Wales received 191% of its long-term average rainfall and was followed by 125% during August and September.

The Minister added: "We know that improvements can take time, but even the smallest steps can help to protect and strengthen our water quality in Wales. While progress has been made, there is still much more to be done to ensure cleaner and healthier waters for people to enjoy."

The Full List for Wales

Aberdyfi - Excellent

Aberdyfi Rural - Excellent

Tywyn - Excellent

Fairbourne - Excellent

Barmouth - Excellent

Tal-y-Bont - Excellent

Dyffryn (Llanendwyn) - Excellent

Llandanwg - Excellent

Harlech - Excellent

Craig Du Beach Central - Excellent

Criccieth - Sufficient

Glan Don Beach - Excellent

Pwllheli - Excellent

Abersoch - Excellent

Porth Neigwl - Excellent

Aberdaron - Excellent

Morfa Nefyn - Excellent

Morfa Dinlle - Excellent

Llyn Padarn - Excellent

Llanddwyn - Excellent

Aberffraw - Excellent

Rhosneigr - Excellent

Silver Bay Rhoscolyn - Excellent

Borth Wen - Good

Trearddur Bay - Excellent

Porth Dafarch - Excellent

Church Bay - Excellent

Cemaes - Sufficient

Traeth Lligwy - Good

Benllech - Excellent

St Davids - Benllech - Excellent

Llanddona - Good

Llanfairfechan - Excellent

Penmaenmawr - Excellent

Llandudno West Shore - Good

Llandudno North Shore - Sufficient

Colwyn Bay - Good

Colwyn Bay Porth Eirias - Excellent

Abergele (Pensarn) - Good

Kinmel Bay (Sandy Cove) - Good

Marine Lake, Rhyl - Sufficient

Rhyl - Sufficient

Rhyl East - Good

Prestatyn - Excellent

Penarth Beach - Good

Jackson's Bay Barry Island - Sufficient

Whitmore Bay Barry Island - Good

Cold Knap Barry - Excellent

Watch House Bay - Poor

Col-Huw Beach (Llantwit Major) - Excellent

Southerndown - Excellent

Ogmore-By-Sea - Poor

Trecco Bay Porthcawl - Excellent

Sandy Bay Porthcawl - Excellent

Rest Bay Porthcawl - Excellent

Aberafan - Good

Swansea Bay - Good

Bracelet Bay - Excellent

Langland Bay - Excellent

Caswell Bay - Excellent

Oxwich Bay - Excellent

Port Eynon Bay - Excellent

Rhossili - Excellent

Pembrey - Excellent

Pendine - Excellent

Amroth Central - Good

Wiseman's Bridge - Sufficient

Coppet Hall - Excellent

Saundersfoot - Excellent

Tenby North - Excellent

Castle Beach, Tenby - Excellent

Tenby South - Excellent

Penally -Excellent

Lydstep - Excellent

Manorbier - Excellent

Freshwater East - Excellent

Barafundle - Excellent

Broad Haven (South) = Excellent

Freshwater West - Excellent

West Angle - Excellent

Sandy Haven - Excellent

Dale - Excellent

Marloes Sands - Excellent

Little Haven - Excellent

Broad Haven (Central) - Excellent

Druidston Haven -Excellent

Nolton Haven - Excellent

Newgale - Excellent

Caerfai - Excellent

Whitesands - Excellent

Abereiddy - Excellent

Abermawr - Excellent

Newport North - Excellent

Poppit West - Excellent

Mwnt = Excellent

Aberporth - Good

Tresaith - Excellent

Penbryn -Excellent

Llangrannog -Excellent

Cilborth - Excellent

New Quay North - Good

New Quay Harbour - Good

Traeth Gwyn New Quay - Good

Llanrhystud - Excellent

Aberystwyth South - Excellent

Aberystwyth North - Good

Clarach South - Good

Borth - Excellent