WATER QUALITY

On 24th March 2006, the European law governing bathing water quality changed. In March 2008, this European Directive will become UK law. Key changes include a tightening of water quality standards, and better public information on bathing waters and local pollution hazards. Click here for MCS' view on the new EC Bathing Water Directive, and measures to improve bathing water quality, tackle storm pollution and improve public information.

Click here for the full text of the new EC Bathing Water Directive
(pdf document. Requires Adobe Reader)

What Is An MCS Recommended Beach?
The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) recommend beaches in the Good Beach Guide with excellent water quality standards for swimmers who wish to minimise their exposure to sewage contaminated water.

The boxes below detail the different grades of water quality we award to the UKs beaches, and the different levels of pollutants in each grade.
    MCS Recommended (best water quality)


MCS Recommended Beaches are indicated with this symbol through out the Good Beach Guide.

100% of the samples passed the EC Mandatory Standard

80% or more of the samples passed the EC Guideline Total & Faecal Coliform Standard

90% or more of the samples passed the EC Guideline Faecal Streptococci Standard

Unaffected by sewage from continuous unsatisfactory discharges (any sewage affecting beaches is treated to a minimum of secondary standard)

The Marine Conservation Society is satisfied that these beaches pose a minimal risk of sewage contamination from unsatisfactory continuous discharges, and recommends these beaches for bathing. Any wet weather waivers are ignored
    Guideline Standard (good water quality)

The official European standard for good water quality

95% of the samples passed the EC Mandatory Standard

80% or more of the samples passed the EC Guideline Total and Faecal Coliform Standards

90% or more of the samples passed the EC Guideline Faecal Streptococci Standard These beaches fail the EC Mandatory Standard 5% of the time, presenting a health risk from sewage derived bacteria 

    Fail & Not Tested

Fail (swimming not advised)

Failed the legal minimum water quality standard

Less than 95% of the samples passed the EC Mandatory Standard
The water at these beaches was often contaminated by sewage in the previous bathing season. MCS advises against swimming and other immersion water sports

Not Tested

No water quality data available.

There is no water quality information available for this beach. No water sample testing was done in the previous bathing season, and the beach has therefore not been graded by MCS
    Basic Pass (minimum water quality)

The basic legal minimum standard for water quality

95% or more of the samples passed the EC Mandatory Standard

These beaches pass the minimum legal requirements for water quality. There are sewage derived bacteria present in quantities known to cause illness.


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the UK charity for the protection of the marine environment and its wildlife

Reg Charity No (England and Wales) 1004005 Reg Charity No (Scotland) SC037480 Company Limited by Guarantee (England & Wales) No: 2550966
Registered Office: Unit 3, Wolf Business Park, Alton Road, Ross-on-Wye HR9 5NB VAT No. 489 1505 17info@mcsuk.org
click here for a list of all beaches contained in the guide
Disclaimer: In brief - any individual acting upon information contained in this Guide does so entirely at their own risk.
MCS does not accept any responsibility for any individual visiting or bathing at beaches listed in the Good Beach
Guide. The symbols depicting the water quality of all beaches refer to 2006 water quality only, and apply to
normal bathing conditions. Bathers swim entirely at their own risk. Click here for full disclaimer text