For swimmers & paddlers · Sun, 20 Sep 2026
Looking for a safe outdoor swim?
No sampling points are currently scoring verified-safe for swimmers. 256 are amber, 54 red. Most fail because of recent rainfall, an active spill nearby, or a stale test.
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· 24
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).
- 01→
RIVER TRENT
Severn Trent Water · SVT01679 · spilling for 19 weeks
- 02→
River Machno
Dwr Cymru Welsh Water · Cwm Penmachno WwTW Storm Overflow · spilling for 6 days
- 03→
River Twymyn
Dwr Cymru Welsh Water · Commins Coch Storm Overflow · spilling for 4 days
- 04→
River Ebbw
Dwr Cymru Welsh Water · Maple Avenue Storm Overflow · spilling for 2 days
- 05→
River Glaslyn
Dwr Cymru Welsh Water · Beddgelert WwTW Storm Overflow · spilling for 2 days
- 06→
Hazelbeach Stream
Dwr Cymru Welsh Water · Waterston WwTW Storm Overflow · spilling for 2 days
- 07→
Nant Brisgyll
Dwr Cymru Welsh Water · Llan Ffestiniog WwTW Inlet Storm Overflow · spilling for 44.9 h
- 08→
Afon Goedol
Dwr Cymru Welsh Water · Blaenau Ffestiniog WwTW Point 1 Storm Overflow · spilling for 44.1 h
- 09→
Nant Brisgyll
Dwr Cymru Welsh Water · Llan Ffestiniog WwTW Settled Storm Overflow · spilling for 43.8 h
- 10→
unnamed ditch
Dwr Cymru Welsh Water · Cwm Penmachno Storm Overflow · spilling for 43.1 h
- 11→
Afon Gwyrfai
Dwr Cymru Welsh Water · Waunfawr WwTW Storm Overflow · spilling for 43.1 h
- 12→
Afon Lledr
Dwr Cymru Welsh Water · Dolwyddelan WwTW Storm Overflow · spilling for 42.9 h
- 13→
Afon Irfon
Dwr Cymru Welsh Water · Llanwrtyd Wells Storm Overflow · spilling for 38.6 h
- 14→
River Gwili
Dwr Cymru Welsh Water · Crosshands WwTW Storm Overflow · spilling for 36.9 h
- 15→
Ogwr Fawr
Dwr Cymru Welsh Water · Cemetery Road Ogmore Vale Storm Overflow · spilling for 28.8 h
- 16→
#N/A
Yorkshire Water · YWS02298 · spilling for 28.5 h
- 17→
River Garw
Dwr Cymru Welsh Water · Llangeinor Bettws Street Storm Overflow · spilling for 27.6 h
- 18→
River Gwili
Dwr Cymru Welsh Water · Cwmgwili WwTW Storm Overflow · spilling for 24.3 h
- 19→
River Neath
Dwr Cymru Welsh Water · Chain Road Storm Overflow · spilling for 7.1 h
- 20→
River Ceiriog
Dwr Cymru Welsh Water · Chirk Bank Storm Overflow · spilling for 5.1 h
- 21→
River Mawddach
Dwr Cymru Welsh Water · Llanelltyd Storm Overflow · spilling for 5 h
- 22→
River Teifi
Dwr Cymru Welsh Water · Cardigan WwTW Storm Overflow · spilling for 1.6 h
- 23→
Afon Iaen
Dwr Cymru Welsh Water · Llanbrynmair Tafolwern WwTW Storm Overflow · spilling for 1.4 h
- 24→
RIVER KENSEY (S)
South West Water · SBB00409 · spilling for 1.1 h
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.