Beaches across Wales have achieved 100% compliance with the Bathing Waters Directive, with 80% of designated beaches achieving an ‘excellent’ status.
Of 105 beaches sampled by Natural Resources Wales, 84 achieved the highest qualification of excellent, 14 good and seven sufficient.
Working closely with Welsh Government, Local Authorities and Dwr Cymru Welsh Water, Natural Resources Wales visited all 105 designated bathing water sites, and collected and analysed water quality samples throughout the bathing season.
While the COVID-19 pandemic saw the start of the bathing water season delayed in Wales, Natural Resources Wales worked to ensure sampling took place at all bathing sites from June.
Clare Pillman, CEO of Natural Resources Wales, commented on the announcement: “Monitoring and maintaining our natural resources is a cornerstone of the work we do and I’m so proud of our staff pulling together and getting this important job done despite the unprecedented times we find ourselves in.
“This year’s results show how hard we and our partners are working both locally and nationally but also the tremendous dedication that our organisations have to an important environmental service.
“We’re incredibly proud of everyone involved in getting these results in what seemed like an impossible time to carry out such a task.
“We look forward to Wales continuing to work as a team to protect and improve our beaches and the benefits they bring to us.”
