Heatwave advice

During warm weather, going for a swim can provide much welcomed relief. If you are going into open water to cool-down, take care, be water aware and follow local safety advice.

Swimming in open water

Open water is not considered to be of bathing quality as it can contain sewage, livestock contamination, and pollution from farming or industry. Anyone can become unwell from swimming in open water as there will always be micro-organisms present. Because of this, we do not encourage swimming in the river Dee.

However, if you do wish to swim in the Dee we recommend that you read the Public Health England leaflet:

Designated Bathing Water – River Dee at Sandy Lane

The River Dee at Sandy Lane now has designated bathing water status; this refers to the designation of a beach or inland water as a bathing water so that information on water quality is provided to bathers and their health can be protected.

Bathing water designation does not mean the water meets bathing water quality standards or that the water is safe for bathers, but it can be the first step to ensure action is taken to improve water quality through requirements to test regularly, identify the sources of pollution and to recommend improvement measures. Swimming in the River Dee currently isn’t encouraged as it can contain sewage, livestock contamination, and pollution from farming or industry.

Further information about the site can be found on SWIMFO

Further information about river water quality can also be found on the Surfers against sewage website.