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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Environment
Helena Horton Environment reporter

Swimming and boating in thousands more English waterways than thought, data finds

England Environment Agency Pollution
A wide image of people in the river and on the grass beside it. Some people are swimming and others are paddleboarding
The River Thames, one of many waters used by swimmers and paddlers – but only officially designated bathing areas are tested for pollution. Photograph: Harry Harrison/Alamy

Thousands more waterways are being used for swimming and boating in England than previously recorded, new data reveals.

A wide-ranging government analysis of the ways that England’s waterways are used for recreation has found 3,347 “water recreation locations” in rivers, lakes and seas around the country. These are places where people take part in activities including swimming, rowing and paddleboarding. The Environment Agency had previously identified 342.

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