Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he plans to take to help improve the quality of bathing water around Britain's shores.

During the bathing water season, the Environment Agency (EA) will carry out a sampling programme at the 451 designated bathing water sites in England to provide robust monitoring of water quality. The EA will also have action plans with clear objectives for every designated bathing water that is classified ‘poor’ or is at risk of being so.

Targeted action and partnership working can have a significant positive impact on bathing water quality and the EA will work with partners, water companies and local communities to improve and protect water quality.

The Water (Special Measures) Bill also delivers on our manifesto commitment to put water companies under tough special measures by strengthening regulation and begin the work of cleaning up our rivers, lakes, bathing waters and seas.