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25
Nov
Environment Agency rates Knaresborough Lido bathing water as ‘poor’
The Environment Agency has rated Knaresborough Lido “poor” for bathing water quality.
The government agency released a classification list for 449 designated bathing sites today (November 25), which saw 87% meet “excellent” or “good” standards.
However, the River Nidd at the Lido in Knaresborough was one of 32 sites which were rated as poor.
The results are based on testing by the Environment Agency which monitors for indicators of pollution known to be associated with risks to bathers’ health, specifically E. coli and intestinal enterococci.
The agency said it is working with local partners to take targeted action to improve water quality at bathing waters classified as “poor”.
Alan Lovell, chair of the Environment Agency, said:
Bathing water quality in England has improved significantly over recent decades, and this year’s results show the continued impact of strong regulation, investment and partnership working.
But we know there is more to do, and the new bathing water reforms will strengthen the way these much-loved places are managed.
Tom Gordon, Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, described the decision as disappointing.
He said:
It is deeply disappointing and utterly unacceptable that the River Nidd at the Lido has once again been classified as ‘poor’ for bathing water quality.
This is a cherished spot for local families and visitors, yet year after year it remains unsafe because Yorkshire Water puts profit before our environment.
Enough is enough. Yorkshire Water must face real consequences. That means scrapping OFWAT and replacing it with a regulator that has teeth – one that punishes polluters, enforces the law, stops sewage dumping, and forces proper investment to clean up our rivers for good.
Dr David Clayden, chair of Nidd Action Group.
Meanwhile, Dr David Clayden, chair of the Nidd Action Group, said he was unsurprised by the rating.
He added that the group awaited the Environment Agency's plans for how to improve the quality of the Nidd.
Dr Clayden said:
No surprises that the Nidd at Knaresborough's Lido shows continuing poor bathing water status, with E.coli concentrations, representing the risk to human health, remaining unacceptably high.
In the Nidd's case while EA monitoring has accelerated, Yorkshire Water's ambitious 2025-2030 plans for reducing sewage contamination of the river have yet to be implemented - so it is early days to see any improvement.
NAG awaits the EA report of their enhanced monitoring (which includes in-river 'sondes' for continuous measurement of pollution) and their plan for actions to improve the Nidd
A recent joint exercise at the Lido, as part of the University of York's AQuA project on Yorkshire rivers that involving NAG, EA, YW and university researchers, showed how we need to tackle problems on the Nidd - by sharing information, working together and rigorously checking whether we are making progress. Nothing will change without that.
The move comes at the Lido at Knaresborough was granted bathing water status in May 2024.
It means the Environment Agency is obliged to undertake measures to improve water quality at the Lido, which will impact the rest of the river.
Designated bathing water status is an official way of recognising that a waterway such as a river, beach or lake is a popular site for water-based activities.
The Stray Ferret took a closer look at the bathing water status decision and what it will mean for the River Nidd in an explainer article, which you can read here.
The quality of water at the River Nidd has come under sharp focus in recent years.
In 2023, Nidd Action Group sampling revealed high levels of the faecal bacteria E.coli.
Meanwhile, recently the group has put out a call for volunteers to help map sources of pollution on the Nidd.
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