Just 10 out of 502 beaches and inland bathing sites in England and Wales failed basic water quality standards

Nine out of 10 beaches and bathing spots in England and Wales met EU standards for water quality in 2011, new government figures show. But campaigners claimed "meeting an outdated and inadequate standard is nothing to shout about".

Statistics from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Welsh government show that just 10 out of 502 beaches and inland bathing sites in the two countries failed basic water quality standards. A record 89% of the bathing waters, a total of 447 sites, met European standards, up from 86% which met that grade last year.

"Almost all of our beaches meet the minimum standards now, compared to just three-quarters in 1991," said Christine Tuckett from the Environment Agency.

But Andy Cummins, from Surfers Against Sewage, said: "Many beaches may be meeting woefully inadequate water quality standards set down 35 years ago, but this still leaves bathers exposed to significant numbers of sewage spills, with possible serious health implications." Cummins said Defra figures showed that the basic standard, met by 97.8% of all beaches, still meant a one in seven chance of contracting gastro-enteritis.

Blackpool central and south beaches, St Anne's North, St Anne's Pier, Heysham Half Moon Bay and Fleetwood, all on the Lancashire coast, failed the basic water quality tests, as did Walpole Bay, Margate, and Ilfracombe Capstone and Combe Martin on the north Devon coast.

Tuckett said: "But new, stricter standards will come into force in 2015, and we are working with water companies, farmers, local authorities and beach managers to tackle persistent sources of pollution and make sure that as many beaches as possible pass these standards."

"We are moving in the right direction," said Cummins. "The top end of the new standards will give you some pretty good water quality." He noted that the government ratings were retrospective, unlike SAS's real-time sewage alerts, which immediately warn bathers of pollution washed out to sea by heavy rain.

The Environment Agency said it had helped secure further investment from the water industry for environmental improvements, some of which would be spent on bathing water. Over 90 projects will improve water quality at 37 coastal locations, it said, while scientific investigation will help identify sources of pollution at a further 44 sites.

The agency is also working with farmers to reduce the amount of animal waste washed into rivers, streams and ultimately the sea, and with local authorities to address pollution from roads, homes and business, which can be caused by appliances such as dishwashers or toilets being incorrectly plumbed.

A report in April from the Marine Conservation Society found that the amount bathroom rubbish flushed down toilets and ending up on Britain's shoreline has risen by 40% over the previous year. Cotton buds, condoms, sanitary towels and tampon applicators were among the most common items recovered.