Preliminary Investigation into the Microbiological Quality of a Freshwater Bathing Site: A Case for Official Identification?

The quality of recreational waters has become of increasing importance and, where water‐based activities are permitted, such waters should be required to comply with minimum standards to protect public health. At present, there are no freshwater sites in the UK which are identified as official bathing areas, despite a significant proportion being identified in other EU Member States and the increasing use of such waters for bathing. This paper presents a case for the official identification of three freshwater bathing sites which, traditionally, have been used for bathing for more than ninety years.