Breaking News….

The River Dart has just become the first river in the UK to achieve Designated Bathing Water status for a record number of individual sites. Four sites have been awarded Designated Bathing Water status by DEFRA in time for the start of the UK’s 2024 Bathing Water Season on the 15th May 2024.

To all of the amazing individuals, businesses and organisations in our communities and further afield who made this possible, thank you! This is a hugely positive step in the progress towards resolving sewage and wastewater pollution in our rivers.

The four new bathing water sites are located on the river from Totnes down to Dartmouth, at the mouth of the river: Totnes (Steamer Quay), Dittisham (The Ham), Stoke Gabriel (creek), Warfleet Dartmouth. 

Founding director Hannah Pearson said “Our bathing water application included an unprecedented amount of support with four application sites along the River Dart. We are delighted that DEFRA has granted all four sites with bathing water status.  There are still many challenges ahead, so this designation will act as a lever for long term positive change and clearly shows that when communities come together and take collaborative action, real change can happen.”  She continues with “We’re also immensely grateful to all who supported us, including Surfers Against Sewage whose initial support and funding helped us get this off the ground.”

Friends Of The Dart was founded in 2022 and has rapidly gained momentum by taking a collaborative approach with all stakeholders and river users. The group has been working closely with South West Water, local councils, businesses, local landowners and the Dart Harbour Master and has a groundswell of support from the local community.

Despite the good news, we note that this is a starting point and offer a note of caution for those who may now assume the popular River Dart is now safe for swimming. 

Hannah Pearson said “Whilst it sounds like bathing water status means the river is now a green light for bathing, this is unfortunately not the case. What it does mean, however, is that the Environment Agency is now obliged to test the river weekly (for two harmful bacteria). The Environment Agency will then classify the site as either EXCELLENT, GOOD, SATISFACTORY or POOR. This new data will create enhanced focus and pressure upon South West Water to reduce sewage spills into the Dart”. Look out for more news coming soon on phase two of our Friends of the Dart testing programme which will test fortnightly at sites from source to sea.

Bathing water status currently only applies to a fixed period from 15th May – 30 September. Friends of the Dart would like to see this period extended in recognition of those who use the river all year round and the testing extended to include harmful chemicals. The group is committed to gaining full transparency of South West Water’s data on spills and infrastructure improvements - as well as understanding pollution from agriculture and other sources.

When it comes to the big question of whether South West Water will deliver on cleaning up sewage and wastewater spills into the River Dart, Hannah Pearson remains adamant that we must continue to work towards an effective collaborative long-term solution that protects our rivers and communities.

“Supported by the Good Law Project, we have offered South West Water the opportunity to be proactive and engage in a legally binding transparency agreement with Friends of the Dart.  If agreed, it will be the first of its kind for South West Water, and will provide local residents and businesses with the information they need to understand how their water bills are spent on upgrades to successfully minimise sewage spills.”

To the health of our rivers,

Team Dart

From left to right, The directors of Friends of the Dart, Robert Worthington, Hannah Pearson and Nicky Rajska

Friends of the Dart, CIC is a community group based in Devon UK

It is our mission to advocate for the River Dart.

We work to identify and minimise pollution, improve biodiversity and empower communities from source to sea.

We do this through scientific-based advocacy and constructive engagement.

We seek to contribute to the well-being of all other UK rivers, through shared best practice, leadership and collaborative working. 

All our work is supported by volunteers and donations. 

To support our work and the Dart click the link below