The TidalWaiv journal
Bathing water, the data behind it, and what changes over time.
The South West tops our regional table, with 79% of bathing waters rated Excellent in 2025. The North West is bottom at 18% and falling. We compare each region with 2015, like for like.
Danny Dyer is right that sewage overflows still spill into the sea, including near Leysdown. But EA data shows English bathing waters, Leysdown included, are far cleaner now than in his childhood.
Ten English bathing waters where average E. coli has fallen by 90% or more since 1991, what each beach's record shows, and why a big fall doesn't always mean an Excellent rating today.
