Annual bathing water results released by the Environment Agency (EA) today (November 25) show improvement for one Thanet beach area – Western Undercliff in Ramsgate- and downgrading for two bays – Margate and St Mildred’s Bay in Westgate.
For every designated bathing water in England, the Environment Agency monitors Escherichia coli and intestinal enterococci in the water, during the official bathing season which is between 15 May to 30 September.
Values can vary, depending on the weather, pollution from agricultural and urban sources, storm water overflows, amongst other factors. The readings taken over the last four bathing seasons then determine the annual classification for that water.
The 2025 classification results cover the period from 2022 to 2025.
The classifications are:
Excellent – the highest, cleanest class
Good – generally good water quality
Sufficient – the water quality meets the minimum standard
Poor – the water quality has not met the minimum standard.
For Thanet the 2025 classifications are:
Minnis Bay- Excellent (no change from 2024)
West Bay – Sufficient (no change)
St Mildred’s Bay – Good (down from Excellent)
Westbrook – Excellent (no change)
Margate- Good (down from Excellent)
Fulsam Rock- Excellent (no change)
Walpole Bay – Good (no change)
Botany Bay – Excellent (no change)
Joss Bay – Excellent (no change)
Ston Bay – Good (no change)
Viking Bay- Good (no change)
Ramsgate- Excellent (no change)
Western Undercliff – Excellent (up from Good)
Dr Nick Mills, Director of Environment and Innovation at Southern Water, said: “So many factors influence water quality that there’s rarely a ‘silver bullet’ solution to protecting and improving water quality.
“But an amazing agility and willingness by all sorts of parties to work together is really starting to pay off. The more we all work together, the better things will get.”
In various locations along the coast, bathing water quality action groups have been formed – featuring members from councils, the EA, community groups, Inland Drainage Boards, Southern Water, and other partners.
There are many factors which can impact bathing water quality, including highway, industrial and agricultural run-off, wildlife, beach and water users, illegally connected private pipework to surface water drains, and the influence of storm overflows in certain locations. That’s why it is so important to pool expertise and resources.
Southern Water says it is playing its part by investing in improving bathing waters, including with a regionwide programme of sewer CCTV investigations and fast-tracked repairs.
Alan Lovell, Chair of the Environment Agency, said: “Bathing water quality in England has improved significantly over recent decades, and this year’s results show the continued impact of strong regulation, investment and partnership working.
“But we know there is more to do, and the new bathing water reforms will strengthen the way these much-loved places are managed.
“The Environment Agency is working closely with Defra to ensure these changes are implemented effectively whilst our teams continue to work with water companies, farmers, councils and local groups to tackle all sources of pollution and support continued progress across sites.”
A Thanet council spokesperson said: “We have received Defra’s Bathing Water Report for 2025.
“Water quality at Ramsgate Western Undercliff has increased from Good to Excellent. It has stayed the same on all Thanet’s other bays with the exception of Margate Main Sands and St Mildred’s Bay, where it has decreased from Excellent to Good.
“Of our 13 designated bathing waters, six have been classified as ‘Excellent’, down from eight in 2024. In addition, four have been classified as ‘Good’.
“Water quality is affected by complex factors, and annual ratings are based on measurements taken over a period of up to four years. Results are not just a reflection of the past 12 months but can be affected by the years preceding too. Bathing water sampling can be affected by a wide range of factors including rainfall and the surface water that drains into the bays.
“We are committed to continuing to work in partnership with agencies and local voluntary groups to ensure that bathing water quality is improving or maintained at all of our bays.”
In 2025, measurements were taken at 449 designated bathing waters in England.
Out of the 449 bathing waters measured in England, 417 (92.9 per cent) met at least the minimum standard of the Bathing Water Regulations and 297 met the Excellent standard.
