Formby Beach Rated ‘Excellent’ Once Again for Water Quality – One of the Cleanest in the North West

Formby Bubble
Jul 28
2 min read

As the summer sun brings thousands of visitors to Formby’s golden coastline, there’s some fantastic news for beach lovers: Formby Beach has once again been rated “Excellent” for water quality by the Environment Agency—maintaining its top status for over a decade.

This prestigious rating places Formby among just four locations in the entire North West to hold the “Excellent” title, alongside Moreton in Wirral and two sites in Cumbria—St Bees and Silecroft. With around 35 official bathing spots in the region, this makes Formby Beach truly stand out for its safety and cleanliness.

During the bathing season, Environment Agency officers regularly visit Formby to test the sea water. Their job is to sample for bacteria such as E. coli and enterococci, which can indicate pollution from sources like sewage or surface run-off. These indicators help determine how safe the water is for swimming, paddling, and playing.

Pete Miles, area manager for the Environment Agency, explained that 20 water samples are taken throughout the summer, with the results used to assign a water quality grade—either Excellent, Good, Sufficient, or Poor. The rating is based on data collected over the past four years, giving a long-term picture of water health.

While some areas elsewhere in the North West—such as Blackpool North and St Annes North—are currently facing issues with bathing quality and have warnings in place advising people to stay out of the sea, Formby continues to set the gold standard.

United Utilities, which works alongside the Environment Agency to manage water quality, reports that while 85% of bathing sites in the North West meet the basic “Sufficient” grade, only 61% achieve “Good” or “Excellent”—and Formby proudly sits at the very top.

The consistent “Excellent” rating is a testament not just to the natural resilience of Formby’s coastline but also to the efforts of agencies, local environmental groups, and the responsible actions of beachgoers who take pride in keeping Formby clean.

As debates continue across the country about sewage outflows, pollution levels, and the need for further investment in water quality, Formby remains a shining example of what a healthy, family-friendly beach should be.

Whether you’re a swimmer, a paddleboarder, or just digging in the sand with the kids, you can enjoy Formby Beach this summer knowing the waters are among the very best in the UK.