Formby water quality history
Explore historical Environment Agency samples and annual bathing water classifications for Formby in Sefton.
Formby bathing water is a large, sandy beach with extensive sand dunes between the beach and Formby town. There are multiple access points to the beach via boardwalks across the dunes. The beach has a shallow profile that increasingly drops off towards the sea.
- Available sample history
- 1988 to 2026
- Samples
- 755
- Latest official classification
- Excellent (2025)
Interactive charts are loading. The classification history is available below.
Annual classification history
Official assessments and historical estimates are labelled separately. Missing years are not filled in.
| Year | Classification | Assessment source |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Excellent | Official Environment Agency assessment |
| 2024 | Excellent | Official Environment Agency assessment |
| 2023 | Excellent | Official Environment Agency assessment |
| 2022 | Excellent | Official Environment Agency assessment |
| 2021 | Excellent | Official Environment Agency assessment |
| 2019 | Excellent | Official Environment Agency assessment |
| 2018 | Excellent | Official Environment Agency assessment |
| 2017 | Excellent | Official Environment Agency assessment |
| 2016 | Excellent | Official Environment Agency assessment |
| 2015 | Excellent | Official Environment Agency assessment |
| 2014 | Excellent | Official Environment Agency assessment |
| 2013 | Excellent | Official Environment Agency assessment |
| 2012 | Good | Official Environment Agency assessment |
| 2011 | Good | Official Environment Agency assessment |
| 2010 | Good | Official Environment Agency assessment |
| 2009 | Sufficient | Historical estimate |
| 2008 | Sufficient | Historical estimate |
| 2007 | Sufficient | Historical estimate |
| 2006 | Good | Historical estimate |
| 2005 | Good | Historical estimate |
| 2004 | Good | Historical estimate |
| 2003 | Good | Historical estimate |
| 2002 | Sufficient | Historical estimate |
| 2001 | Sufficient | Historical estimate |
| 2000 | Sufficient | Historical estimate |
| 1999 | Sufficient | Historical estimate |
| 1998 | Sufficient | Historical estimate |
| 1997 | Sufficient | Historical estimate |
| 1996 | Sufficient | Historical estimate |
| 1995 | Sufficient | Historical estimate |
| 1994 | Sufficient | Historical estimate |
| 1993 | Sufficient | Historical estimate |
| 1992 | Sufficient | Historical estimate |
| 1991 | Not assessed | Historical estimate |
| 1990 | Not assessed | Historical estimate |
| 1989 | Not assessed | Historical estimate |
| 1988 | Not assessed | Historical estimate |
Source: Environment Agency / Swimfo. Data retrieved 16 October 2026. Historical trends do not describe conditions today; check Swimfo and local notices for current advice.