Get Involved in the Blue Flag Beach Survey over the Easter Holiday

BugWatch, led by Dr Jonathan Cox from Aston University, Surfers Against Sewage, and the Microbiology Society are collaborating on a very exciting opportunity to get involved in a UK-wide water quality testing programme over the Easter school holiday period.

The project involves testing water quality at Blue Flag beaches for 7 consecutive days. Millions of people in the UK are expected to take a trip to the coast during the Easter holidays many of these locations hold Blue Flag status. BugWatch are looking for volunteers to take a shoreline sample for each of the 7 days through rapid microbial detection using a device called Bactiquick by Molendotech. This water quality data will then be compared with sewage overflow data.

If you have a Blue Flag Beach local to you and can commit to testing once a day for 7 consecutive days between Tuesday 31 March to Monday 13 April 2026, they would love to hear from you.

To find out if you have a Blue Flag nearby, visit Blue Flag sites — Blue Flag. BugWatch will provide you with the equipment along with training.

Because only fund 20 pieces of kit to test at 20 locations, BugWatch are aiming to get a good spread of locations across all areas of the UK. If there are multiple communities wishing to monitor in the same location, they may not be able to supply you with the kit but can signpost you with who else is testing in your area, if you would like to team up.

Please email ([email protected]) if you would like get involved with your: