This record is for Approval for Access product AfA143. This dataset comprises a polygon relating to each site identified under the Bathing Water Directive (76/160/EEC); however these polygons have no formal status under the Bathing Water Directive.
Where a site corresponds to a Sensitive Area under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (UWWTD) in England & Wales, the polygon for that Sensitive Area is provided. For all other sites the polygon has been drawn as a simple guide to aid the work of the Environment Agency with permitting of discharges.
These polygons are not appropriate for identifying areas suitable for bathing. The polygons are not a definition of the extent of the bathing water under the Bathing Water Directives 76/160/EEC or 2006/7/EC and should not be used for any definition of the bathing water area or extent. There are approximately 500 polygons in this dataset. This dataset is appropriate for technical assessment of waters where bathing potential is taken into account by the Environment Agency.
Please note there is also an alternative dataset that shows only the UWWTD Sensitive Areas (AfA250 Sensitive Areas - Bathing Waters).
INFORMATION WARNING
These polygons are not appropriate for identifying areas suitable for bathing. The polygons are not a definition of the extent of the bathing water under the Bathing Water Directives 76/160/EEC or 2006/7/EC and should not be used for any definition of the bathing water area or extent. Attribution statement: © Environment Agency copyright and/or database right 2015. All rights reserved.