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
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