Officials say they feel “disappointed” a well-used swimming spot in South Oxfordshire has been given a ‘poor’ rating for water quality.

Wallingford Beach, which was made a designated bathing water site in May, was given a poor review due to spikes of bacteria in two of the 19 water samples taken.

Designated water sites were tested for dangerous pollution or bacteria that could make swimmers sick during the bathing season, which runs from May to September.

The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) announced only two bathing sites on the Thames had received ‘poor’ ratings upon releasing their report earlier this week.

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David Rouane, South Oxfordshire District Council leader and council climate lead, and councillor Jo Robb, South Oxfordshire District Council’s River Thames champion, released a joint statement.

(Image: Contributed) They said: “We are obviously disappointed at the news that the water at Wallingford Beach has received a ‘poor’ rating for this year by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in its recent report on Bathing Water sites which was released this week.

“The River Thames at Wallingford has been a popular swimming spot for generations and this was one of the drivers for the council to join with environmental charity, Thames21, and Wallingford Town Council to seek Bathing Water status for the site. 

“We wanted to ensure the river water here was regularly tested, which would allow swimmers and other river users to make informed choices about the risks to their health when they use the River Thames at Wallingford.

(Image: Jo Robb) “Designation also puts pressure on the Environment Agency to investigate and address poor water quality to ensure the site meets bathing water standards.

“This would benefit not only to the many people who use the river, but also to the overall health of the river ecosystem.

“Rivers and streams are struggling to cope due to water pollution, including in the Thames.

“While we knew bathing water status would not immediately solve that issue, it should mean Thames Water would be legally required to treat waste outflows to a much higher standard.

“Attaining bathing water status is not a guarantee that there would never be pollution in the river however, it has been an important first step towards that goal, which is our ultimate ambition."

(Image: Oxfordshire County Council) County councillor for Wallingford Dr Pete Sudbury, who is deputy leader with responsibility for climate change, environment and future generations added: “It is completely unacceptable that the standard of bathing water at Wallingford Beach has been classified as poor.

“All those parties that are contributing to pollution levels at this popular spot must clean up their acts with immediate effect.”

Wolvercote Mill Stream also received a ‘poor’ rating in DEFRA’s report.