ILKLEY’S bathing water status at the River Wharfe has been rated poor following testing by the Environment Agency.

The Agency has released its 2024 statistics on English coastal and inland bathing waters after monitoring 450 sites for signs of pollution that can affect bathers’ health, especially E.coli and intestinal enterococci.

Although the Environment Agency says that 92 per cent of bathing waters in England have met minimum water quality standards, with 85 per cent rated good or excellent, Ilkley still languishes in the lower end of the table four years after being the first river to be given bathing water status.

There are, however, hopes among Ilkley campaigners that the situation might improve if the various agencies responsible for cleaning up the Wharfe work together.

Prof Becky Malby, of Ilkley Clean River Group said: “Yet again Ilkley Bathing Status is poor which means it is not safe for people to paddle play and swim in our river.

"However, there is an end in sight. Four years after being awarded Bathing Status Ilkley is on the cusp of securing an improved water system that will ensure our river is fit for people and wildlife.

“Last year Yorkshire Water put in a huge new sewer to divert sewage from the Bathing Site to the sewage works. But to clean up the whole area we need better infrastructure.

“Ofwat has approved the funding, Yorkshire Water has made a plan for new storage tanks, an integrated wetland and better treatment of our sewage. We now wait for the Environment Agency to approve the plan so that our sewage can be treated and our river water quality can change from poor quality to sufficient in a few more years.”

Prof Malby said delays from the Environment Agency put Ilkley’s Bathing Status at risk, as without plans in place it will be de-designated in 2025. She said the Government’s Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) was currently consulting on changing the timescales for de-designation.

Prof Malby added: “Our view in Ilkley is that five years is enough time to put in place vital improvements to stop sewage pollution, but the constant arguments between the regulators and the water companies are slowing this down. It is shocking that the basic infrastructure to get clean water in our river is taking so long.

"The inability of the water companies and regulators to recognise the pollution sources, and to put plans in place with any semblance of haste despite years of public outrage is disgraceful. Whilst Ilkley may eventually secure a clean up, the rest of the country still waits.”

Yorkshire Water also called on people to work together to ensure the Wharfe is cleaned up. A spokesperson said: "We are investing significantly in the Wharfe at Ilkley – the first inland bathing water in the region – including improvements to storm overflows, a new £15m sewer, additional treatment at upstream wastewater treatment works and a £60m investment at the existing wastewater treatment works to upgrade it and add a new wetland, subject to Environment Agency approval.

“While all of these measures will improve water quality, there are a number of factors that can influence bathing water quality that are outside the control and responsibility of Yorkshire Water, so it is important all key stakeholders take the necessary action to improve the bathing water classification in the future.”

The River Wharfe in Ilkley which has bathing statusThe River Wharfe in Ilkley which has bathing status (Image: submitted)

The Environment Agency figures also show a notable difference between the quality of coastal and inland bathing waters, with 95 per cent of coastal waters meeting minimum standards this year, compared to only 53 per cent of inland sites. Rivers often have poorer bathing water quality compared to the sea which benefits from the natural disinfection of salt water and greater dispersal of pollutants, said the Agency.

Mike Dugher, Deputy Director for the Environment Agency in Yorkshire, said: “Across Yorkshire, 60 per cent of our bathing waters are rated as Good or Excellent but any drops in quality are disappointing and must be addressed.

“There is still much more to be done to ensure cleaner and healthier waters for people to enjoy and action plans are in place for poor and sufficient classifications. We are committed to working with our key partners and water companies to improve water quality and investigate the problems faced at some of our important tourist destinations.”

And the Government’s Water Minister Emma Hardy added: “These figures are unacceptable and show that too many of our popular swimming spots are polluted.

“That’s why we are placing water companies under special measures through the Water Bill, which will strengthen regulation including new powers to ban the payment of bonuses for polluting water bosses and bring criminal charges against persistent law breakers.

“This is just the start – we’ve launched the largest review of the water sector since privatisation to attract the investment we need and reform the water system to help clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good.”