Suffolk: Campaigners 'thrilled' at Deben bathing status

Representatives of Save the Deben were delighted to hear that part of the River Deben at Waldringfield had been granted designated bathing water status by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

Ony two other sites in the UK have received the certification - the River Wharfe at Ilkley in Yorkshire and the River Thames at Port Meadow, Oxford.

READ MORE: River Deben wild swimmers status boost in Waldringfield

As well as certifying the site for swimming, designated bathing status means the water will be monitored by the Environment Agency, which will take samples during the bathing season between May 15 and September 30.

The agency will then assess whether action is needed to cut pollution levels and works with communities, farmers and water companies to improve water quality.

Caroline Page (left) and Ruth Leach, co-founders of Save the Deben (Image: Ruth Leach)

Ruth Leach, co-founder of Save the Deben with Suffolk county councillor Caroline Page, said the consultation process for the bathing status application revealed 106 bathers used the Waldringfield section.

READ MORE: River Deben consultation forms 'not sending' for Suffolk

The swimmer and kayaker added attention would now focus on a separate application for bathing water status for the Deben at Woodbridge, which has been refused by DEFRA.

The agency deemed the number of swimmers using the river at Woodbridge too low.

READ MORE: Woodbridge news

She said: "Hours of hard work, bather counts, public consultation, lobbying of support and paperwork have paid off and now we will turn our attention to Woodbridge, upriver, where there is a large population of recreational river users as well as the outlet sites for the two sewage treatment works."

Her Save the Deben co-founder Caroline said: "This is excellent news for east Suffolk's river environment and water users alike”.

READ MORE: Suffolk news