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13
May
River Nidd at Knaresborough granted bathing water status
The River Nidd has been granted bathing water status at Knaresborough Lido.
Environment minister Robbie Moore is expected to announce the news this morning.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs received 27 applications for bathing water status this year.
Decisions were expected in spring and well placed sources have told us that the application for the Nidd, which was submitted by Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, is among those approved.
It means the Environment Agency will be obliged to undertake measures to improve water quality at the Lido, which will impact the rest of the river.
Andrew Jones (right) and Environment Secretary Steve Barclay discussing the bid.
As part of the Defra submission, Mr Jones' office ran surveys last summer on the number of bathers using the Lido, which revealed the venue attracted 276 bathers a day on average during summer.
Water sampling work was carried out along the river by Nidd Action Group, which was formed by fly-fishermen concerned about water quality and now also includes academics, charities and volunteers.
Volunteers involved in water sampling.
Achieving bathing water status will mean that during the bathing water season from May to September, the Environment Agency will test the Lido for pollutants and designate it either 'excellent', 'good', 'sufficient' or 'poor'.
If it is not rated highly, the government agency will create a plan to tackle the sources of pollution.
Only two rivers, including the Wharfe at Ilkley, currently have bathing water status and the water quality of both is currently rated 'poor' so there are concerns about how effective designation is.
The state of the Nidd came under sharp focus last year.
Nidd Action Group sampling revealed high levels of the faecal bacteria E.coli.
Last year Knaresborough Bed Race competitors were advised to keep their heads above water to avoid the risk of swallowing water containing sewage.
Read more:
- Government opens two-week consultation on Nidd bathing water status
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- Knaresborough pulls together to help flood victims
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