Looking for a safe outdoor swim?

What to do if no spots are scoring green

• Use the postcode finder above

  It checks every overflow within 5 km of your address — even spots without a recent bacterial test still tell you about active spills.

• Switch to all-purpose mode

  Our main safe-spots register shows 4 sampling points with all-green chemistry — useful for paddlers and anglers even where bacterial coverage is missing.

• Check designated bathing waters

  The Environment Agency tests E. coli at designated bathing waters more frequently. The EA Bathing Water Profiles cover ~420 sites with full season data.

Active spills to avoid right now· 33

These are storm overflows currently discharging. Don't swim or paddleboard within 5 km downstream until the discharge has stopped and conditions have settled (typically 48 hours after heavy rain).

1. 01

   RIVER TRENT

   Severn Trent Water · SVT01679 · spilling for 25 weeks

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2. 02

   ENGLISH CHANNEL

   Southern Water · SWS00007 · spilling for 5 weeks

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3. 03

   Unknown watercourse

   Yorkshire Water · YWS02298 · spilling for 4 weeks

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4. 04

   MEDWAY

   Southern Water · SWS00803 · spilling for 3 weeks

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5. 05

   Afon Camnant

   Dwr Cymru Welsh Water · Hirwaun Industrial Estate WwTW Storm Overflow · spilling for 3 weeks

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6. 06

   RIVER MEAVY

   South West Water · SBB00514 · spilling for 13 days

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7. 07

   River Taf

   Dwr Cymru Welsh Water · Llanfyrnach WwTW Storm Overflow · spilling for 12 days

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8. 08

   River Lune Estuary

   United Utilities · UUP00603 · spilling for 11 days

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9. 09

   Unnamed tributary of Smal Brook

   United Utilities · UUP00535 · spilling for 10 days

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10. 10

    Unnamed Watercourse

    Dwr Cymru Welsh Water · Llanaelhaearn WwTW Overflow · spilling for 7 days

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11. 11

    River Wye

    Dwr Cymru Welsh Water · Tintern Main Road Storm Overflow · spilling for 4 days

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12. 12

    TRIB OF PULWORTHY BROOK (S)

    South West Water · SBB00570 · spilling for 2 days

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13. 13

    River Twymyn

    Dwr Cymru Welsh Water · Commins Coch Storm Overflow · spilling for 2 days

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14. 14

    Elwy

    Dwr Cymru Welsh Water · Llangernyw WwTW Overflow · spilling for 2 days

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15. 15

    Nant Hafren

    Dwr Cymru Welsh Water · Eglwyswrw WwTW Storm Overflow · spilling for 11.4 h

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16. 16

    RIVER TRENT

    Severn Trent Water · SVT01949 · spilling for 8 h

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17. 17

    TRIBUTARY OF THE RIVER ITCHEN

    Severn Trent Water · SVT00891 · spilling for 7 h

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18. 18

    River Humber

    Yorkshire Water · YWS01451 · spilling for 5.1 h

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19. 19

    Afon Lliw

    Dwr Cymru Welsh Water · Capel Curig WwTW Storm Overflow · spilling for 3.9 h

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20. 20

    Afon Marlais

    Dwr Cymru Welsh Water · Waunfarlais Road Brynmarlais Storm Overflow · spilling for 3.9 h

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21. 21

    PENPONT WATER

    South West Water · SBB00043 · spilling for 3.8 h

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22. 22

    Gwendraeth Fawr

    Dwr Cymru Welsh Water · Pontyates Heol Y Meinciau Storm Overflow · spilling for 3.4 h

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23. 23

    Afon Morlais

    Dwr Cymru Welsh Water · Llannon WwTW Storm Overflow · spilling for 2.9 h

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24. 24

    Tributary of Coombe Valley Stream

    South West Water · SBB01407 · spilling for 2.8 h

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25. 25

    RIVER CULM

    South West Water · SBB01024 · spilling for 2.6 h

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26. 26

    The River Irwell

    United Utilities · UUP01920 · spilling for 1.8 h

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27. 27

    Coastal waters - Penrhyn Bay

    Dwr Cymru Welsh Water · Ganol WwTW Storm Overflow · spilling for 1.7 h

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28. 28

    Wepra Brook

    Dwr Cymru Welsh Water · Spring Street Connahs Quay Overflow · spilling for 1.7 h

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29. 29

    Nant Cledlyn

    Dwr Cymru Welsh Water · Cwrtnewydd WwTW Storm Overflow · spilling for 1.4 h

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30. 30

    Afon Lliw

    Dwr Cymru Welsh Water · Waun Road Loughor No.2 Storm Overflow · spilling for 1.2 h

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31. 31

    Unnamed tributary of Hooton Beck

    Yorkshire Water · YWS00928 · spilling for 1.1 h

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32. 32

    River Ellen

    United Utilities · UUP00260 · spilling for 57 min

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33. 33

    A culverted unnamed tributary of River Irwell

    United Utilities · UUP00484 · spilling for 57 min

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How “verified safe” works for swimmers

• Bacteria first. We require a recent reading of E. coli, intestinal enterococci, or faecal coliforms — the indicators that determine swim safety.
• Excellent band only. Bacteria must be below the EU Bathing Water Directive “excellent” threshold (E. coli < 500 cfu/100 ml, intestinal enterococci < 200 cfu/100 ml).
• No active spills nearby. Within 5 km, no storm overflow currently discharging. If a recent spill ended in the last 24 hours, the spot is downgraded to caution regardless of test results.
• Recent enough. The bacterial test must be within the last 14 days. Older readings are flagged stale.

Read the full methodology on the About page.