These results summarise the compliance of coastal and inland bathing waters for England in 2023.

For every designated bathing water in England, the Environment Agency monitors Escherichia coli and intestinal enterococci in the water, throughout the bathing season (15 May to 30 September). Values can vary depending on the weather, pollution from agricultural and urban sources, storm water overflows, amongst other factors. The readings taken over the last four bathing seasons then determine the annual classification for that water.

Due to Coronavirus restrictions, there was no classification during the 2020 bathing water season. The 2023 classification results cover the period from 2019 to 2023, over a five year period, while still maintaining only the last four bathing seasons (namely 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023).

Prior to the start of the 2023 season, one bathing water was de-designated, with an additional four waters designated at the start of the season. This brings the total number of designated bathing waters in England to 424. There was one bathing water unassessed due to access issues.

The classifications are:

• Excellent – the highest, cleanest class
• Good – generally good water quality
• Sufficient – the water quality meets the minimum standard
• Poor – the water quality has not met the minimum standard.