Bid for marina to secure bathing water status
Cumberland CouncilA public consultation is under way over plans to create an official bathing area at a marina.
Cumberland Council is considering applying for Harrington marina and shoreline, near Workington, to be granted bathing water status.
If approved, it would see the council invest in making sure the water was a high enough standard to swim in, which would involve taking regular samples.
Resident Douglas Cragg, who swims there every week and requested the status, said: "It just seems like a really positive thing if we can get...the bathing water designation, so there is monitoring available and we'll know when it's safe to swim."
Mr Cragg said a local swimming group also used the "picturesque" marina regularly.
"It's popular for families, especially during the summer months," he added.
The Labour-led Cumberland Council said people could comment on the plans until 30 September before it applied to the government.
Councillor Bob Kelly, portfolio holder for policy and regulatory services, said: "Our officers are conducting a consultation to see how well the area is being used by swimmers during the summer months, and if the investment required would be of benefit to the community."
If Harrington marina achieves the status, signage will be installed informing people about its bathing water quality and measures put in place to make sure there is no impact on wildlife or the local ecosystem.
Regular tests will also be carried out to monitor the levels of intestinal enterococci and E. coli during the bathing water season, which runs from 15 May until 30 September.
The council previously considered applying for bathing water status for the same area in 2023.