Bournemouth Water Quality

Bathing water quality in Bournemouth is a key environmental and public health priority, given the town’s popularity as a coastal destination. With stunning sandy beaches used by tourists and locals alike for relaxation and recreation, it is important for visitors to have accurate bathing water quality information. The quality of water at Bournemouth’s beaches is regularly monitored and rated by the Environment Agency during bathing water season (May to September), using standards set by the EU Bathing Water Directive.

In recent years, Bournemouth has taken significant steps to enhance water quality monitoring. The SeaCheck app - a partnership project between BCP Council and Wessex Water - is working to develop advanced water quality monitoring buoys at Bournemouth and Boscombe beaches. These buoys are currently collecting data and, in the future, they should be capable of indicating bacteria levels in the water using AI technology. Once the buoys have collected enough data and are fully trained, the SeaCheck app will provide real-time water quality updates, helping to keep water users informed.