Most UK beaches meet EU water quality standards

The vast majority of UK-based beaches comply with strict EU water quality regulations, it has been revealed.

According to statistics compiled by the Welsh government and the UK's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, 98 per cent of public bathing waters met the high standards.

In 2011, 492 of 502 areas were deemed to be of the required quality, while nine out of ten fell in line with even tougher environmental legislation, which is set to come into force in 2015.

Head of bathing waters at the Environment Agency of England and Wales Christine Tuckett said the findings highlighted a "drastic improvement" in the past two decades.

"Over £8bn has been invested by water companies and the Environment Agency to upgrade our sewerage systems and reduce pollution," she remarked.

The European Commission has not been so happy with the performance of France and ordered the country's government to take urgent action and enforce tighter water quality controls, EurActiv reported.

Posted by Claire Manning