The River Avon at Fordingbridge Recreation Ground was first classed as “poor” for water quality in March 2025, when results from the previous bathing season were shared.
It came after the popular site was named a ‘designated bathing area’ in May 2024, following14 months of campaigning by Fordingbridge Avon Bathers (FAB).
In April 2025, the Journal joined MP for New Forest West, Sir Desmond Swayne, along with senior researcher from Moldendotech Christian Good in a water quality test on site using a new device.
The water testing device, called Bacterisk, provides water quality results within 15 minutes of taking the sample.
READ MORE: ‘Worrying’ water quality results revealed at popular river
Mr Good explained how the scale of the device reads a low risk to be up to 42.5, a moderate risk up to 52.5 and anything greater than that deemed “high risk”. The water in Fordingbridge was measured to be 131.
Three months later, the Environment Agency still reports the site as “advice against bathing”, deeming the water quality as “poor”. The most recent test was undertaken on June 7, with 20 tests being carried out since May 1.
Christian Good and Desmond Swayne MP (Image: Spencer Mulholland Photography) Sir Desmond MP, who is a keen wild water swimmer, said: “All I can say is that I won’t be swimming in it. If it says poor, I take that as a clear indication to steer clear.
You can view the latest ratings for the site here.
“First of all, you’ve got to identify what the cause is and then do something about it. But we’ve not been given any of that information.
“It’ll be heaving now with the summer holidays. It’s worrying that is says that water quality is poor and children are going to get, from bathing in it, stomach upsets or whatever. It’s clearly unacceptable.
“I really think we need to know more about what poor quality is – what is the meaning of it – what grades of poor quality are there?”
Sir Desmond also said he feels a warning or information should be put on site by the landowner to inform users of the water quality.
A spokesperson from Wessex Water has said: “Rivers in rural catchments will always have bacteria in them – from wildlife, agricultural run-off and roads to private septic tanks, regulated storm overflows and treated sewage discharges.
“The safety of swimming at specific locations is for councils and others to determine, but we want to help people make an informed choice by delivering real-time water quality information using AI at popular recreational sites like Fordingbridge.
“Over the next five years we’ll be making unprecedented investment in sealing drains and sewers, nature-based solutions for sewage treatment, nutrient removal and rainwater storage to improve river health.”
The Environment Agency has been contacted for comment.