Event: All‑Party Parliamentary Water Group (APPG Water) – Bathing Waters Parliamentary Session

Date: July 2023

Location: UK Parliament, Westminster (Hybrid session)

Type of CPD: Policy engagement / environmental governance / regulatory insight

Duration: 1–2 hours (plus preparation and follow‑up)

Summary of the Event

I attended the July 2023 meeting of the All‑Party Parliamentary Water Group (APPG Water), which focused on the condition of England’s designated bathing waters, the drivers of poor water quality, and the actions required from government, regulators, water companies and local authorities to improve public health and environmental outcomes.

The session brought together MPs, peers, Defra officials, the Environment Agency, water companies, NGOs, coastal groups and technology innovators. Discussions centred on storm overflows, microbial contamination, monitoring gaps, public health risks, and the need for greater transparency and accountability in reporting bathing water quality.

The meeting provided a valuable opportunity to contribute perspectives on how real‑time monitoring and biological insight can strengthen understanding of bathing water conditions and support more effective environmental protection.

Key Themes Covered

• Bathing water quality and public health Microbial contamination, seasonal pressures, and the impact of storm overflows.
• Monitoring and data transparency Expanding real‑time monitoring networks, improving data quality and enabling public access.
• Regulatory expectations and compliance Environment Agency classifications, PR24 requirements and long‑term planning.
• Storm overflows and wastewater impacts Investment needs, monitoring obligations and ecological consequences.
• Catchment‑scale challenges Agricultural runoff, diffuse pollution and the need for integrated solutions.
• Public trust and communication The importance of timely, accurate information for communities and local authorities.