Water at four beaches rated poor but Deal improves

The Deal Dippers took to the sea on Tuesday to celebrate the improved rating of their beach

Sea water bathing quality in south-east England has improved overall, according to the latest government statistics, but four beaches have been rated as poor.

Out of 59 beaches in the region, 30 have been classed as excellent - 16 in Kent, eight in East Sussex and six in West Sussex.

But the Environment Agency (EA) data, covering a four-year period from 2022 to 2025, showed the water quality at Dymchurch, Littlestone, Worthing Beach House and Bognor Regis (Aldwick) was rated as poor.

Deal Castle Beach in Kent, which had its Boxing Day Dip cancelled in 2024 due to poor water quality, has seen the biggest improvements, with its rating changed to good.

Enthusiastic members of the Deal Dippers sea swimming group, which meets daily, took to the water earlier to celebrate their beach's improved rating.

One swimmer, Deirdre Wells, said: "It's fantastic to get that stamp of approval back.

"It was really devastating when we lost the accreditation last year."

Another, Heather Paddison, said: "I've heard of people who won't swim because of the water quality.

"For people who want to come in the summer and let their children swim, it will make a difference."

The group meets daily to swim in the sea at Deal

The advice is not to swim at the four beaches rated as poor - Dymchurch, Littlestone, Worthing Beach House and Bognor Regis (Aldwick).

Lindsay Faulkner, from the Environment Agency, said it was "really disappointing" they had not improved.

"We were seeing quite good quality results earlier in the season," she said, "but as soon as the rain water started to come, we started to see the water quality deteriorate."

The agency tested thousands of waters samples between May and September.

Pollution can come from agricultural and road run-off and storm overflows.

Rob Butson, bathing water lead at Southern Water, said: "There are going to be occasions where problems occur.

"We are working vigorously to ensure that we can reduce the amount of times that storm overflows activate during the season."