The public bathing water season in New Forest is from 15 May to 30 September.
At intervals during this season, the Environment Agency take samples at these designated bathing beaches:
These samples are analysed against the standards in the European Bathing Water Directive.
The latest bathing water results for the New Forest area are published by the Environment Agency:
In addition to meeting European bathing water standards, the Solent Water Quality Award Scheme was launched in 1992.
It provides a simple and readily understood indicator of satisfactory water quality at bathing beaches and, where feasible, in recreational waters around the Solent.
A summary of bathing water quality for the New Forest can be found at The Solent Forum.