Rivers are unlikely to be granted the protections of bathing water status under the government’s changes to the system, campaigners have said.

River activists have reacted with fury as details of the reforms were revealed on Wednesday.

In an unexpected move, ministers are imposing a feasibility test on any waterway where a community is seeking a bathing water designation. If water bodies are deemed too polluted to improve to at least “sufficient” water quality they will not be given a designation.