‘I’m Not A Bather’

The Government is reforming the Bathing Water Regulations for the first time in over a decade. And we need your help.

The problem

Once designated, bathing waters fall under legislation which creates a responsibility for regulators to monitor the water quality which make them an important tool to end sewage pollution. However, in current legislation only “bathers” are counted as water users during the process of getting bathing water status at a site. So, due to this outdated legislation this means surfers, kayakers, paddleboarders and anyone else using the water in any other way than “bathing”, does not count.

Not only are hundreds of potential bathing water spots being left unmonitored but anyone doing anything other than “bathing” are not protected by legislation. Whether its paddleboarding down the river, accessing that water on a kayak or surfing some of the UKs finest breaks, we all deserve access to sewage free water.

The solution

If we can show Defra and the Welsh Government the wide range of ways people are using our waterways, we can influence them to reform the current regulations to ensure all recreational water users are included in legislation, not just the Victorian sounding “bathers”. This would mean more waterways could be designated and more people could be protected from pollution. This is incredibly important! Bathing waters are the only stretches of waterways that are regulated and monitored for pollution and we know it is not just bathers that access our waterways. It seems Defra and the Welsh Government need reminding.

What are SAS doing?

SAS are showing Defra and the Welsh Government how we are using the water
SAS are collecting evidence on when and where we are using our waterways
SAS are collecting sickness data from all water users to show that everyone and anyone can be impacted by sewage pollution
SAS are showing Defra and the Welsh Government the huge wave of support behind reforming these regulations and making our waters count

How can you help?

Get involved with our “I’m not a bather” action

Next time you’re about to get in the water to surf, swim, paddle, kayak or more, snap a picture of you with a placard with “I’m not a bather” written on it, post it on your social pages tagging both @surfersagainstsewage @defra @welshgovernment @emmahardymp @huw_irranca_davies using the #IMNOTABATHER

Or send it straight to us and we can post for you. Because in current legislation, only “bathers” are counted as water users, meaning not all water users are considered. We need you to help us paint a picture for the Government of the wide ways in which people are using the water because we all deserve to be protected from pollution no matter how we are using the water.

Tell us when, where and how you are using the water

Let us know when, where and how you get in the water on our recreational water user map. This data will help SAS show Defra and the Welsh Government the wide range of water use and additionally helps prove that we use the water ALL. YEAR. ROUND. Of course, we know that, but the current laws clearly don’t. We deserve to be protected from pollution no matter when, where and how we get in the water.

Tell us where you use the water

Tell us your story if you have been made sick from sewage

If you feel up for it, share your story with us to help shine a light on the real human impact of sewage pouring into our waterways. Thousands of people across the UK tell us they have been made sick after getting in the water.

The more voices speaking out, the louder we will be.

Share your sickness report