Fears are increasing that residents of a Kent district could soon be left with nowhere to swim amid pool closures and declining seawater quality.

There is now a “real risk” that four out of the six bathing waters in Folkestone and Hythe could be designated as ‘poor’ in 2025, according to council bosses.

This means that ‘do not swim’ warnings would come in for Folkestone beach and Dymchurch - in addition to advice already in place at Littlestone and St Mary’s Bay - if the levels do not improve.

Furthermore, following the closure of the Folkestone Sports Centre in July and with Hythe Swimming Pool on its “last legs”, concerned residents say the district could soon be left with nowhere to take a dip.

Figures released by the Environment Agency (EA) reveal the water at Dymchurch - a hugely popular beach for tourists and families - has contained higher levels of E.coli than neighbouring beaches at Littlestone and St Mary’s Bay over the past four years.

Folkestone beach, which is visited by thousands of people lured by the trendy harbour arm in the summer months, is also currently rated at ‘sufficient’, just one level above ‘poor’.

At a Folkestone & Hythe District Council meeting last week, leader Cllr Jim Martin (Green) described the situation as “terrifying” as the EA “haven’t got a clue” about what is causing the issue.

He also said it was “incumbent upon” the council to put up warning signs about high levels of bacteria at the four beaches.

Peter Wick, who has been a regular swimmer for more than 30 years, described the circumstances as “devastating” for everyone in the district.

“Swimming is so important for not only fitness but as a life skill as well,” said the 78-year-old.

“It seems crazy that we are heading in a direction that a coastal town might have no place for us to swim.

“It would have a devastating effect on everyone if we were not able to swim on our beaches. The beaches here get so busy in the summer months so it could seriously impact traders in the area as well.”

Mr Wick, who has lived in Folkestone all his life, has also been a member of the Folkestone Swimming Club for the past 20 years.

The caretaker at St Eanswythe's Primary School told KentOnline the closure of the Folkestone Sports Centre has had a “massive impact” on the club.

He added: “Hythe Swimming Pool is already on its last legs and it wouldn't be able to cope if it were the only place in the district people could use.

“I’ve got absolutely everything crossed that the sports centre will reopen. The community needs it.

“As for the seawater quality, the agencies must move their backsides and get this sorted!”.

Data collected since 2020 shows Dymchurch beach has an average of 188 E.coli colonies per 100ml. In comparison, St Mary’s Bay has 101, Littlestone 139 and Folkestone 73.

The statistics also show heightened traces of intestinal enterococci in the sea at Dymchurch and Folkestone, indicating human faeces may be in the water.

Despite the improving levels in Littlestone and St Mary’s Bay, the no-swim warning could still remain in for the 2025 bathing season.

Cllr Martin told the full council meeting last week: “The action needed is for the EA to recognise the very real risk that, for the bathing season 2025, four out of six of the district's bathing waters could be designated as poor.

“The EA needs to set a sufficient budget and allocate staff resources to fully investigate and resolve the causes, with the target of returning the district's beaches to a good classification by the following year.

“The testing results at St Mary's Bay have improved this bathing season, but despite good results, the classification for next year could remain poor. This is because it will be based on a four-year rolling result.

“After the council spoke with the agencies at the overview and scrutiny committee, it shone a light on the fact they haven't got a clue. That for us is terrifying.”

The new classification results will be released by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in December and any of the bathing waters with a rating of ‘poor’ will be hit with a ‘do not swim’ warning.

The Folkestone & Hythe district currently has the poorest water quality ratings in the county.

Hythe and Sandgate Beach - sandwiched between Dymchurch and Folkestone - currently have the best readings in the area, with both rated ‘excellent’.

In response to the concerns raised by FHDC and residents, an Environment Agency spokesperson said: “We have identified that pollution at St Mary’s Bay and Littlestone comes from several different sources.

“Our investigations have included extensive collaborative work with Southern Water and Folkestone & Hythe District Council, and we will continue to work with partners to find the solutions to improve the water quality along this stretch of coastline.

“Regulators, water companies, local authorities and many others all want the same thing: better environmental outcomes, including cleaner rivers, seas, estuaries and groundwater. We need to work together and take collective responsibility to achieve it.

“We are playing our part by transforming the way we regulate, embedding a new approach that targets our resource and interventions to uncover non-compliance and drive better performance from the water industry. Cleaning up England’s waters isn’t just about water companies – it includes agriculture, industry, and urban pollution, too.”

Southern Water previously said the high samples of the bacteria – which can cause diarrhoea and sickness – are not associated with its storm overflows, but it is carrying out analysis of its sewers.

The Folkestone Sports Centre closed at the end of July, resulting in 144 job losses.

It was used by much of the community, with the swimming pool being one of its main attractions.

Chairman of the Folkestone Swimming Club, Ian Howes, says the group has been “left without a home” following the closure and says it is vital that it reopens.

The 54-year-old said: “Our main base at the moment is in Dymchurch at New Beach. They have been very kind to accommodate us.

“It’s a very concerning time for swimmers when the only public pool available is the one in Hythe.

“There have been rumours that the council had said if there were any major problems with it again, that they wouldn't be able to afford to repair it. So I don't think it's in a position to take on a big influx of people.

“If people aren't able to swim in our area it's going to have such a big impact. Swimming is not only a sport but also a vital life skill.

“Even though it’s going to be difficult we have to remain positive that the sports centre will re-open. We will continue to campaign actively.”

Earlier this month, Tony Vaughan, the Labour MP for Folkestone and Hythe, applied to register the Folkestone Sports Centre as an “asset of community value”.

Appointed administrators Opus Restructuring LLP previously said building homes on the site cannot be ruled out.

It is not clear how much it will be sold for but Christie and Co says it is asking for offers.

Now Mr Vaughan and the Save Folkestone Sports Centre community group have applied to FHDC to protect the sports centre under the Localism Act 2011.

At the council meeting last week, Cllr Jenny Hollingsbee asked: “As Hythe Swimming Pool is at the end of its economic life, what plans are in place to ensure the district is not without a swimming pool?”

Cllr Martin replied: “The council has been in communication with the administrator since the closure and will continue to work closely with them through this period of change.

“The council's team at Hythe pool continues to welcome new swimmers at that facility.

“There is a swimming pool site at Martello Lakes, which is available to us. If only we had the money to build it, we would be building, believe me.

“However, we're very engaged in these discussions to reopen the Folkestone Leisure Centre and swimming pool. Just as a mark of that, the administrators have not turned off the pumps in the pool, so the swimming pool water is still being cleansed.”