Bathing water quality
Our coastal waters are hugely improved by large and expensive treatment schemes. We monitor water quality to protect public health using standards set in an European Directive.
The standards protect public health but recognise that sea water is a natural variable environment. Bad weather will result in higher numbers of bacteria.
Gower beaches easily pass the EU standards but Swansea Bay is a little more complex. Swansea Bay cannot be improved much more by expensive engineering. We use the EU standards to help predict the water quality in Swansea Bay and inform the public.
Bathing water quality in Swansea Bay
This summer we are displaying water quality information for Swansea Bay on signs by the Slip. Results are posted three times a day. The water quality can change throughout the day depending on sunlight, wind direction, river flows and the tide.
We are also broadcasting these results via our Twitter account. To get up to date information simply follow us @SwanseaBayWater.
Bathing water quality at other beaches including Gower
Natural Resources Wales collects detailed scientific data on the cleanliness of our bathing waters (mostly beaches) every year between May and September. Detailed reports are available for bathing water quality data on the Natural Resources Wales website.