Thousands of courageous individuals will be taking part in the traditional Boxing Day swim in freezing seas and rivers while many others are still recovering from Christmas celebrations. The government has been actively working on significant reforms to address the water quality issues across the country. Recent Environment Agency findings revealed that 93% of bathing waters now meet the required standards for swimming, indicating a positive improvement from the previous year.
In Nottingham, regular swimmers shared their dedication to year-round swimming, even breaking ice in the winter months. The government has initiated changes to the outdated bathing water monitoring rules to make them more adaptable and responsive to the needs of swimmers. The Water (Special Measures) Act, enacted in February, introduced stringent enforcement measures in the water sector, including criminal penalties for concealing illegal sewage discharges and the ability to restrict excessive bonuses, preventing £4 million in bonuses for ten water executives.
Efforts are underway to implement automatic penalties for water companies to ensure swift and unavoidable consequences for any misconduct. The Environment Agency’s water regulation budget has been increased to £189 million for 2025/26, the highest ever allocated, with plans for 10,000 inspections in the upcoming year to enhance oversight. Additionally, a record number of 87 investigations have been conducted on water companies.
To enhance customer protection, minimum compensation rates have been doubled, and compensation for boil notices has been introduced for the first time. These measures aim to support customers and businesses during instances of service failure, such as the recent disruptions in Tunbridge Wells.
The government’s objective is to instill confidence in the public to swim and enjoy water activities in local areas. With a substantial funding of £104 billion allocated for infrastructure upgrades over the next five years, progress is being made towards long-term reform. The upcoming Water White Paper, scheduled for release in the New Year, will outline a comprehensive strategy for reform, including the establishment of a new unified water regulator. While positive strides have been taken, ongoing efforts are required to address remaining challenges and ensure continued progress.