by Jo Sword

Every Kent beach has met European
standards for bathing water quality this year.

Between May and September this year all the
beaches the Environment Agency tested met 100 per cent ‘mandatory’
(or ‘good’) standards, with 68 per cent achieving the ‘guideline’
standard.

Southern Water says the result is largely part of the company’s long-term investment in environmental improvements across the county.

The work ensures that treated waste water
recycled back into Kent’s rivers and seas meet European
targets.

John Spence, Southern Water's head of
wastewater & environmental strategy, said: "We are delighted
that this year all the beaches in Kent met European standards.

"Southern Water's ongoing environmental
improvement programme has brought about a tremendous improvement in
the quality of water around our coastline which is good news for
our customers and the tourist industry across the South East."

But it is not just Southern Water's work which
has led to the improvements, rainwater running off roads and
farmland, wastewater from privately owned sewage works, boats or
even animals on the beach also has an impact.

Beaches tested in Kent in
2009:

Leysdown

West Beach

Herne Bay

Herne Bay Central

West Bay (Westgate)

St Mildreds Bay (Westgate)

Westbrook Bay (Margate)

Margate, The Bay

Margate Fulsham Rock

Walpole Bay (Margate)

Botany Bay (Broadstairs)

Sheerness

Joss Bay (Broadstairs)

Broadstairs (Stone Bay)

Broadstairs (Viking Bay)

Ramsgate Western Undercliff

Sandwich Bay

Deal Castle

St Margaret's Bay

Sandgate

Hythe

Dymchurch

St Mary's Bay (Kent)

Minnis Bay (Birchington)

Ramsgate Sands

Folkestone

Littlestone

Tankerton