Big news for our River Dee community!
We’re one of 13 wild swimming spots across England that are on the brink of gaining ✨official bathing water designation✨ our very own River Dee at Sandy Lane, Chester is on that list.
As the Chester rep for Surfers Against Sewage, I’ve seen first-hand how much love, time and energy local people pour into protecting this river. This moment is a huge credit to community campaigning – and we’re closer than ever to meaningful, long-term protection for our patch of the Dee. From the Paddle Out Protest in May, to showing Rave of the Avon as part of Chester Green Weekend last June to to the Bather Counting. A huge congratulations to Dianne Parish, from Chester Frosty and the Clean Dee Campaign for rallying the troupes and , Barry Johnstone for all the river testing he ahs completed over the last few years. Our involvement was towards the end but proud of what has been achieve so far. Now we need your help:
The government is running a 6-week public consultation for each site, open now until 23rd March 2026.
💧 Why Bathing Water Status Matters (for people and nature)
If our much-loved swim spot at Sandy Lane gets designated, it means real, practical change:
🧪 Weekly water quality testing
(even if it’s only during bathing season, it’s still vital transparency)
📃 Legal powers to investigate and reduce pollution
through the Bathing Water Regulations
🔍 Accountability and pressure on polluters
If water quality is rated “Poor”, action has to follow
This isn’t just about swimmers and paddleboarders staying healthy – it’s about creating better conditions for wildlife and restoring our river as a thriving ecosystem. Cleaner water = healthier habitats 🌱
🗺️ We’re Part of a National Push for Wild Waters
Across England, 13 community-loved swim spots are currently up for designation – with 10 of them supported through the Protecting Wild Waters campaign by Surfers Against Sewage.
That includes rivers, beaches and tidal inlets from Cornwall to Northumberland – and now, the River Dee in Chester is proudly among them.
🗳️ What Happens Next (and How You Can Help)
The government is running a 6-week public consultation for each site, open now until 23rd March 2026.
This is where our community voice really matters.
Strong local support can be the difference between a site being designated… or quietly dropped.
👉 How you can help:
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Respond to the consultation
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Encourage friends, swimmers, paddlers, parents, dog walkers, anglers – anyone who loves the Dee – to respond too
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Share the consultation on local WhatsApp groups, socials and community pages
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Use the guidance provided to help shape your response
Even one short response adds weight. A flood of local voices? That’s powerful 🌊
💚 Why This Matters for Chester
The River Dee is part of our daily lives, a place to cool off in summer, walk beside in winter, teach kids about nature, and feel grounded when life gets heavy.
Gaining official bathing water status would be a huge win for Chester:
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More protection
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More monitoring
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More pressure to tackle pollution
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More recognition that our river is worth fighting for
This is how local action turns into national change. And honestly? It’s pretty amazing that our community has helped get us this far.
Plus also close to us – 🌊 New Brighton Beach (East), Merseyside, a sandy seaside resort at the mouth of the Mersey Estuary
