Water Quality

The Solent Water Quality Award scheme has been in existence since 1992 to provide a simple and readily understood indicator of satisfactory water quality at bathing beaches and, where feasible, in recreational waters around the Solent.

The Award is given where the bathing water reaches or exceeds the standards specified in the European Community Bathing Water Directive and is based on the microbiological standards for bacteria in the water (Total Coliforms, Faecal Coliforms and Faecal Streptococci) required by this directive.

Gosport BC has held the Solent Water Quality Award since it was first introduced and five coastal areas in Gosport have been granted the Solent Water Quality Award for 2010; these are Lee-on-the-Solent, Stokes Bay, Stoke Lake, Workhouse Lake and Hardway.  

Due to lack of resources no sampling was carried out by the Council between July 2008 and December 2009.

From January 2010, fortnightly water sampling is carried out by the Council at the five sites listed above, which are also monitored every week by the Environment Agency during the Bathing Season (May to September). The 2010 results and those for previous years can be viewed by clicking on the related links at the bottom of this page.

For information on bathing and recreational water quality in Gosport Borough please contact the Council's Environmental Health Pollution Team by telephone on: 023 9254 5478 or by email via this link.

More information on the standards can be found on the Environment Agency web site.

For information on general bathing water quality please see the European Union web site.

Further information on beach cleanliness and other marine standards can be obtained from the Marine Conservation Society:  www.mcsuk.org

Bathing Water Quality - Result of Council Sampling

2005

2006/7

2007/8

2008/9

2010

2011