Bathing waters

Improving the North West's bathing waters through our work and that of others.

With the even tighter EU bathing water standards implemented in 2015, the quality of our coastal waters has never been more important.

We are one of many organisations with a role to play in boosting the quality of bathing water on the North West coast, from Kirby to the Scottish borders.

Bathing water quality can be affected by a range of factors, including sewer overflows, livestock on grazing marshes, run-off from roofs and roads, and even dogs, donkeys and seabirds around the beach.

The Environment Agency currently estimates United Utilities’ contribution to the issues affecting regional water quality is about 30 per cent - demonstrating that our operations have a significant impact, but that we are one part of a wider jigsaw.

Find out what we are doing to improve bathing water quality in the North West here.