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 0 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· 16

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 6 weeks

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2. 02

   LAVANT

   Southern Water · SWS00496 · spilling for 5 weeks

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3. 03

   LEISTON BECK

   Anglian Water · AWS00312 · spilling for 3 weeks

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4. 04

   River Machno

   Dwr Cymru Welsh Water · Cwm Penmachno WwTW Storm Overflow · spilling for 11 days

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5. 05

   THE RIVER NENE (OLD COURSE)

   Anglian Water · AWS00316 · spilling for 3 days

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6. 06

   River Dulais

   Dwr Cymru Welsh Water · Crynant WwTW Storm Overflow · spilling for 35 h

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7. 07

   RIVER TAVY

   South West Water · SBB01335 · spilling for 25.9 h

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8. 08

   Afon Twrch

   Dwr Cymru Welsh Water · Bethel Road Cwm-twrch Isaf Overflow · spilling for 21.5 h

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9. 09

   River Graveney

   Thames Water · TWL00733 · spilling for 20.5 h

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10. 10

    Swansea Bay

    Dwr Cymru Welsh Water · Norton Road and Avenue Junction Swansea Storm Overflow · spilling for 18 h

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11. 11

    Tributary of Black Burn

    Northumbrian Water · NWL00270 · spilling for 12.3 h

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12. 12

    River Calder

    United Utilities · UUP00576 · spilling for 9 h

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13. 13

    Nant Aeron

    Dwr Cymru Welsh Water · Heol Y Farchnad Road Storm Overflow · spilling for 5.5 h

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14. 14

    Henllan Brook

    Dwr Cymru Welsh Water · Llanelwedd Storm Overflow · spilling for 48 min

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15. 15

    Nant Cledlyn

    Dwr Cymru Welsh Water · Cwrtnewydd WwTW Storm Overflow · spilling for 48 min

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16. 16

    Kidsgrove Stream

    United Utilities · UUP01120 · spilling for 37 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.