Norfolk campaigner pushing for 'Bathing Water Status' at Cow Tower
This classification is given given to popular swimming locations by the Environment Department- to ensure it's kept clean for use
An environmentalist in Norfolk is pushing for a stretch of water in Norwich to be given 'Designated Bathing Water Status' .
The City Council is today debating whether to support this application for Cow Tower- that will be put to the Government for review.
In 2023, Norwich City Council said it would support any viable plans of this kind, for areas regularly used by river swimmers.
"We still don't have a comprehensive testing regime"
Gary Champion is from the Green Party and represents the Sewell Ward:
He told us why change is needed:
"As it stands there is a lot of testing for nitrates and phosphates, there is also improved data from the Water Bill telling us about sewage overflows.
"However, we still don't have a comprehensive testing regime which tells us what is going on in the river at any given time.
"Last year during the Dragon Boat Race there was E-coli in the water there.
"Last week it was revealed that flea treatment that goes on the back of dogs necks, this can be a significant contaminate when it gets into the water.
What is 'Designated Bathing Water Status'?
It's a classification given given to popular swimming locations by the Environment Department.
In these areas water quality is regularly monitored for harmful bacteria to ensure it meets a minimum standard that's fit for people to use for things like bathing and wild swimming.
The routine testing is made public to ensure people can make informed decisions about where and when to use the waterway, itself.
There are currently 17 of these sites in Norfolk and North Suffolk
For a coastal or inland water to be designated as a bathing water:
-It must have at least 100 bathers a day during the bathing season (15 May to 30 September)
-There must be toilet facilities bathers can use during the bathing season, within a short distance of up to about 500m from the site
Monitoring of Bathing water:
The Environment Agency (EA) monitors levels of E. coli and intestinal enterococci at these sites.
They also look for indications of cyanobacteria, macro-algae, marine phytoplankton and waste.
Once testing is complete the EA classifies designated bathing waters every year as excellent, good, sufficient or poor.