The bathing water quality at 109 Welsh beaches and lakes - from excellent to 'sufficient'

Welsh Government publishes annual bathing water scores for 109 beaches and lakes around Wales. The country's official 'bathing waters' have their water quality tested by Natural Resources Wales (NRW).

This takes place during the bathing season, which runs from 15 May to 30 September. Designated bathing waters are classified as excellent, good, sufficient or poor depending on water quality sampling results. The bathing water quality classifications are based on two microbiological parameters: intestinal enterococci and E.coli.

The four classifications of bathing water quality:

• Excellent – the highest, cleanest water quality

• Good – generally good water quality

• Sufficient – the water meets the minimum standard

• Poor – the water has not met the minimum standard

An ‘excellent’ classification is one of the essential criteria for obtaining a Blue Flag accreditation, one of the world’s most recognised voluntary eco-labels. In the most figures two beaches at Tenby North and Aberdyfi have moved up from ‘good’ to ‘excellent’ classifications, making them eligible to apply for the coveted Blue Flag status.

But the water quality at two beaches in key North Wales resorts were only rated as "sufficient". These were Llandudno's North Shore and Rhyl's main beach. It doesn't mean they failed the required minimum standard but work is needed.

The water was though rated better at Llandudno's West Shore and also Rhyl East beach and nearby Prestatyn, which was classed as excellent. Rhyl has also seen an improvement at Marine Lake - which has moved to sufficient after failing the quality test last year.

Clare Pillman, Chief Executive of Natural Resources Wales, said: "We are entirely committed to protecting and improving the quality of our coastal waters and rivers for people and nature, and each year, a tremendous amount of unseen work takes place to tackle sources of pollution across the country.

"While we celebrate our spectacular coastline and world-class beaches, we know that now is a pivotal time for change, not complacency. There is still much work to be done to safeguard our bathing waters. The only way to get our water quality to the state we want is to recognise that everyone has a role to play. We must all raise our game now and strive to achieve the waters we want for ourselves and for future generations."

The Full List for Wales(based on 2023 testing)

Aberdyfi - Excellent

Aberdyfi Rural - Excellent

Tywyn - Excellent

Fairbourne - Excellent

Barmouth - Excellent

Tal-y-Bont - Excellent

Dyffryn (Llanendwyn) - Excellent

Llandanwg - Excellent

Harlech - Excellent

Craig Du Beach Central - Excellent

Criccieth - Sufficient

Glan Don Beach - Excellent

Pwllheli - Excellent

Abersoch - Excellent

Porth Neigwl - Excellent

Aberdaron - Excellent

Morfa Nefyn - Excellent

Morfa Dinlle - Excellent

Llyn Padarn - Excellent

Llanddwyn - Excellent

Aberffraw - Excellent

Rhosneigr - Excellent

Silver Bay Rhoscolyn - Excellent

Borth Wen - Good

Trearddur Bay - Excellent

Porth Dafarch - Excellent

Church Bay - Excellent

Cemaes - Sufficient

Traeth Lligwy - Good

Benllech - Excellent

St Davids - Benllech - Excellent

Llanddona - Good

Llanfairfechan - Excellent

Penmaenmawr - Excellent

Llandudno West Shore - Good

Llandudno North Shore - Sufficient

Colwyn Bay - Good

Colwyn Bay Porth Eirias - Excellent

Abergele (Pensarn) - Good

Kinmel Bay (Sandy Cove) - Good

Marine Lake, Rhyl - Sufficient

Rhyl - Sufficient

Rhyl East - Good

Prestatyn - Excellent

Penarth Beach - Good

Jackson's Bay Barry Island - Sufficient

Whitmore Bay Barry Island - Good

Cold Knap Barry - Excellent

Watch House Bay - Poor

Col-Huw Beach (Llantwit Major) - Excellent

Southerndown - Excellent

Ogmore-By-Sea - Poor

Trecco Bay Porthcawl - Excellent

Sandy Bay Porthcawl - Excellent

Rest Bay Porthcawl - Excellent

Aberafan - Good

Swansea Bay - Good

Bracelet Bay - Excellent

Langland Bay - Excellent

Caswell Bay - Excellent

Oxwich Bay - Excellent

Port Eynon Bay - Excellent

Rhossili - Excellent

Pembrey - Excellent

Pendine - Excellent

Amroth Central - Good

Wiseman's Bridge - Sufficient

Coppet Hall - Excellent

Saundersfoot - Excellent

Tenby North - Excellent

Castle Beach, Tenby - Excellent

Tenby South - Excellent

Penally -Excellent

Lydstep - Excellent

Manorbier - Excellent

Freshwater East - Excellent

Barafundle - Excellent

Broad Haven (South) = Excellent

Freshwater West - Excellent

West Angle - Excellent

Sandy Haven - Excellent

Dale - Excellent

Marloes Sands - Excellent

Little Haven - Excellent

Broad Haven (Central) - Excellent

Druidston Haven -Excellent

Nolton Haven - Excellent

Newgale - Excellent

Caerfai - Excellent

Whitesands - Excellent

Abereiddy - Excellent

Abermawr - Excellent

Newport North - Excellent

Poppit West - Excellent

Mwnt = Excellent

Aberporth - Good

Tresaith - Excellent

Penbryn -Excellent

Llangrannog -Excellent

Cilborth - Excellent

New Quay North - Good

New Quay Harbour - Good

Traeth Gwyn New Quay - Good

Llanrhystud - Excellent

Aberystwyth South - Excellent

Aberystwyth North - Good

Clarach South - Good

Borth - Excellent