Summer seawater testing programme begins along Worthing coastline

The Environment Agency has begun its annual summer seawater testing programme along the Worthing coastline, with monitoring set to continue until September.

Water samples will be collected at Worthing Beach House, Heene Road and Goring Beach to assess bathing water quality and provide information for swimmers and other sea users.

Worthing Borough Council said samples are analysed for bacteria including E. coli and Intestinal Enterococci, which are used to measure pollution levels and determine official bathing water classifications. Two of the town’s designated bathing waters are currently rated good, while Worthing Beach House remains classified as poor following its first two years as a designated bathing water site. The council said it is continuing to work with the Environment Agency and Southern Water to improve water quality.

The council has also announced plans for a community water-testing facility at Splashpoint Leisure Centre, developed with Southern Water and South Downs Leisure. The facility will allow local swimming groups to help monitor water quality at Worthing’s three designated bathing sites. The announcement comes as Worthing Beach House retained its Brown Flag status for 2026, based on Environment Agency bathing water data, while new AI-powered smart signage along the promenade continues to provide information and collect feedback from visitors about local bathing water conditions.