Pollution of UK waters worsens

In April 2025, the number of polluted waters doubled from 2023 when Environment Agency data showed that 37 of England’s 451 protected bathing beaches were rated ‘poor’ for exceeding E. coli and enterococci standards. Environmental group Surfers Against Sewage recorded more than 6,000 incidents of sewage discharges, with 2,201 annual sewage discharges at Wallasey Beach, raising public health concerns. Labour MPs have introduced a bill to nationalize companies that frequently pollute waterways.