The way bathing water quality is monitored is changing.

We have invested millions of pounds in recent years making improvements to benefit the marine environment. However, the quality of bathing water can be affected by factors outside of our control such as rainwater running off roads, streets and farmland, wastewater from privately owned sewage works, boats or animals.

New European regulations will bring tougher water quality standards to aim for from 2015 and increase the level of information available to you.

On March 25, as part of the new regulations, the Environment Agency launched online draft profiles for all waters in the UK which are classed as designated bathing waters.

The profiles include a general description of the bathing water, where wastewater outfalls and combined sewer overflows (CSOs) are positioned, potential sources of pollution, management measures, the location of the sampling point and how the beach has performed against bathing quality ratings over the last few years.

From 2012, beach managers will put up signs at all designated bathing waters telling you about current water quality and potential pollution sources. Temporary information signs will also be put up after an incident has occurred which could affect bathing water quality.

To view the Environment Agency’s weekly bathing water quality results of all 83 designated bathing waters in our area, together with links to Environment Agency profiles, visit our interactive map.