Devil’s Point and Firestone Bay has become an official bathing water, following an 18 month campaign by Plymouth MP Luke Pollard.
The bathing water season officially started on May 15, with regular testing of water quality from the Environment Agency now underway at 150 designated bathing sites across Devon and Cornwall – including newly-designated Firestone Bay and Devil’s Point.
High standards of water quality at swimming locations are important for people’s enjoyment of beaches and other beauty spots in England. Throughout the season, which runs until the end of September, the Environment Agency will regularly monitor water quality at bathing waters across the country to give bathers the up-to-date information they need.
The monitoring also means the Environment Agency can assess whether extra action is needed to address water quality at these sites. Dips in water quality can occur due to factors like rainfall, wind and high tides.
Information on all designated bathing water sites nationally and any forecasted drops in water quality will be published on the Swimfo: Find a Bathing Water website.
This provides immediate access to information on every bathing water in England, including coastal locations, inland lakes and the newly designated areas, including Firestone Bay in Plymouth.
Luke Pollard launched his bathing water campaign in January 2022 after shocking reports of sewage being routinely discharged into seas and rivers across the country. Defra confirmed in April 2023 that the campaign had been successful, with official bathing water status granted.
The campaign attracted widespread support from Plymothians with 1,000 residents signing Luke’s bathing water petition, which he presented to Parliament in March 2022.
More than 100 local volunteers helped Luke count swimmers at Devil’s Point in June 2022. Over 6,500 water users were recorded in the single month, helping to strengthen the bathing water application.
The Environment Agency must now regularly test water quality at Devil’s Point and make the results publicly available, giving swimmers, kayakers and paddle boarders peace of mind that it is safe to take a dip.
Speaking on May 15, Luke Pollard, said:
“Today is a big day for Plymouth as Devil’s Point and Firestone Bay becomes an official bathing water after an eighteen-month campaign.
“I want to thank everyone who helped me in getting this campaign over the line, from signing petitions to counting swimmers to submitting written evidence. It’s been a huge team effort.
“As a Janner and wild swimmer, I’m proud to have launched this campaign. With raw sewage being regularly discharged into Britain’s rivers and seas, our communities need peace of mind that it’s safe to take a dip.
“I will be pushing for bathing water status to be a catalyst for further investment at Devil’s Point, with repair of the tidal pool next on the to-do list.”
In the autumn, Defra will publish its classifications – Sufficient, Good, Excellent or Poor – for each designated bathing water site.
