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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 1 July 2025 to Question 63264 on Water: Reform, what her planned timetable is for the implementation of wider reform one.

In November 2024, the Government, jointly with the Welsh Government, consulted on Reforms to The Bathing Water Regulations 2013, in the first shake-up to the Bathing Water Regulations since they were introduced.

We have begun policy development and research, including epidemiological studies, to determine how best to implement both of the wider these reforms detailed in this consultation consulted on; clarifying and expanding the definition of ‘bathers’ and using multiple monitoring points at each bathing water site to classify water quality. This work will take into account any potential environmental, societal and access impacts of these reforms. We are keen to work closely with stakeholders in the development of any future reforms and a timetable for any implementation will be agreed once this work has concluded.