Testing to start at North Wales beach that has become nation's latest official bathing site

Testing will start on a North Wales beach that is the latest in the country to secure official bathing water status. Wales already had a list of 109 coastal beaches and inland swimming spots in Wales that are classed as designated bathing waters.

There were two applications to increase that figure this year - one proved successful while the second was rejected. The new arrival to the list is Traeth Nefyn on the Llyn Peninsula while The Warren at Hay-on-Wye was turned down.

Traeth Nefyn was already popular although not as well known as nearby Morfa Nefyn, and Porthdinllaen with its world renowned pub on the beach. Like those two neighbours, the beach will now undergo regular water testing from Natural Resources Wales (NRW).

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There will be multiple tests between mid-May and September 30. Bathing water samples are sent to NRW’s laboratory in Swansea, where they are tested for levels of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and intestinal enterococci (IE). Results from a four-year rolling period then determine the classification for the next bathing water season; excellent, good, satisfactory or poor.

Last year, 98% of Wales’s designated bathing waters met stringent environmental standards, with 80 out of 109 meeting the ‘excellent’ criteria (see the full list below). Bathing water status means the beach can be considered for a blue flag.

Clare Pillman, Chief Executive of NRW, said: “More and more people are enjoying the benefits of open water swimming, and where better to take a dip than at one of the many fantastic bathing waters Wales has to offer. Our blue waters offer a wealth of recreation opportunities, providing a vital boost to Wales’ tourism sector and the health and well-being of our communities.

“Our teams continue to work hard to tackle the many sources of pollution which threaten our water quality, including from agriculture and storm overflows. Much progress is being made, and we are pressing for record levels of water company investment for the environment in the coming years to safeguard the future health of our waters.”

Prior to the start of the traditional bathing water season, NRW officers undertake a number of pre-season checks and samples. This includes checking to ensure permit conditions for nearby discharges are being complied with. Issues or deteriorations flagged in last year’s results are investigated by local teams to identify any sources of pollution which may be contributing to high bacteria levels found in samples.

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Ratings of Wales's designated bathing sites:

Excellent

• Aberdaron

• Aberdyfi

• Aberdyfi rural

• Abereiddy

• Aberffraw

• Abermawr

• Abersoch

• Aberystwyth south

• Barafundle

• Barmouth

• Benllech

• Borth

• Bracelet Bay

• Broad Haven (central)

• Broad Haven (south)

• Caerfai

• Castle Beach, Tenby

• Caswell Bay

• Church Bay

• Cilborth

• Cold Knap Barry

• Col-Huw Beach (Llantwit Major)

• Colwyn Bay Porth Eirias

• Coppet Hall

• Craig Du Beach Central

• Dale

• Druidston Haven

• Dyffryn (Llanendwyn)

• Fairbourne

• Freshwater east

• Freshwater west

• Glan Don Beach

• Harlech

• Langland Bay

• Little Haven

• Llandanwg

• Llanddwyn

• Llanfairfechan

• Llangrannog

• Llanrhystud

• Llyn Padarn

• Lydstep

• Manorbier

• Marloes Sands

• Morfa Dinlle

• Morfa Nefyn

• Mwnt

• Newgale

• Newport North

• Nolton Haven

• Oxwich Bay

• Pembrey

• Penally

• Penbryn

• Pendine

• Penmaenmawr

• Poppit West

• Port Eynon Bay

• Porth Dafarch

• Porth Neigwl

• Prestatyn

• Pwllheli

• Rest Bay Porthcawl

• Rhosneigr

• Rhossili

• Sandy Bay Porthcawl

• Sandy Haven

• Saundersfoot

• Silver Bay Rhoscolyn

• Southerndown

• St Davids - Benllech

• Tal-y-Bont

• Tenby north

• Tenby south

• Trearddur Bay

• Trecco Bay Porthcawl

• Tresaith

• Tywyn

• West Angle

• Whitesands

Good

• Aberafan

• Abergele (Pensarn)

• Aberporth

• Aberystwyth North

• Amroth Central

• Borth Wen

• Clarach South

• Colwyn Bay

• Kinmel Bay (Sandy Cove)

• Limeslade Bay

• Llanddona

• Llandudno West Shore

• New Quay Harbour

• New Quay North

• Penarth Beach

• Rhyl East

• Swansea Bay

• Traeth Gwyn New Quay

• Traeth Lligwy

• Whitmore Bay Barry Island

Sufficient

• Cemaes

• Criccieth

• Jackson's Bay Barry Island

• Llandudno North Shore

• Marine Lake, Rhyl

• Rhyl

• Wiseman's Bridge

Poor

• Ogmore-By-Sea

• Watch House Bay