“Don’t Throw the Cox In”: Sir Steve Redgrave & River Action Warn of Failed Water Quality Standards
River Action warns university boat race stretch fails basic water quality standards – Sir Steve Redgrave calls for urgent clean-up
As the iconic Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge approaches this weekend, river campaigners have warned that water quality for the stretch of the River Thames set to host the event would be classified as ‘poor’ under environmental regulations if it were designated as a ‘bathing water’ site. New testing on the course from River Action raises fresh concerns about water quality, with rowing legend Sir Steve Redgrave backing calls for urgent action to clean up the river.
While wet weather often exacerbates pollution through increased sewage discharges, recent conditions tell a different story. Since River Action’s E.coli testing started on 10th March, there has been just 1 day of rain, yet the river champions found that 29.5% of samples exceeded safe limits for entering the water, almost three times the threshold for bathing waters rated ‘poor’. River Action worked alongside Fluidion and Planet Ocean to do the testing whilst using the Alert One system. Fludion further validated the results.
Campaigners highlight that treated wastewater from sewage treatment plants, which currently face no legal limits on E.coli levels, is a major but overlooked contributor to the pollution of the River Thames.
Our Senior Communities Coordinator, Chloe Peck testing for E-Coli on the River Thames
Paying Twice for Polluted Water?
Revealed: Out-of-service sewage overflow monitor on water used for the Boat Race
Despite public outrage, the construction of the Tideway Tunnel (which won’t resolve upstream pollution), a £3bn financial bailout plan, and Thames Water executives receiving massive salaries and bonuses, the company has failed to maintain its ageing infrastructure. Regulators have also failed to hold them accountable.
Immediately upstream of the boat race finishline, the monitoring system on the combined sewage overflow pipe at Kew (Kew Transfer) has been offline since 17 January, undermining the legal requirement for all sewage outfalls to be monitored. It is not known how much this pipe may have been discharging sewage into the Thames, near to the boat race finish line.
Campaigners are now demanding that Thames Water be taken back into public hands through Special Administration, branding the failing company a ‘busted flush.’
River Action’s Head of Communities, Erica Popplewell, said:
“The Mayor of London’s vision for clean and healthy rivers is simply a pipe dream without systematic reform of the water industry and its regulators. Right now, if the stretch of the Thames used for the Boat Race were an official bathing site it would be graded poor, the lowest possible rating. The government’s own advice for such water is ‘do not swim.’ So, we strongly suggest that the winning team on Sunday think twice before throwing their cox in the Thames.” “We would also urge all rowers to follow the ‘Guidance for Rowing When Water Quality is Poor’ safety guidelines to mitigate risk. The Boat Race should be about sporting excellence—not about worrying if you’ll get sick from being dunked – and attracting people to take up water sports as a healthy activity.
“The public demands Thames Water and regulators act now to improve sewage treatment infrastructure. Thames Water has profited from pollution for years whilst the Government have failed to enforce the law. It’s time to refinance the company without burdening bill payers and end pollution-for-profit. The decades-long water industry privatisation experiment has been a disaster. Thames Water should be put into Government hands and operated for public benefit. That process could start tomorrow with the right political will by putting Thames Water into Special Administration and restructuring the company.”
Erica Popplewell at the River Ver last month giving an interview for BBC News on how Thames Water’s sewage releases have impacted the Chalk Stream
Sir Steve Redgrave leads calls from the rowing community for action:
Leading figures, including Sir Steve Redgrave, are demanding urgent intervention to protect river users, including competitors in Sunday’s race.
“It’s a real worry that in 2025, unsafe water quality in the Thames is still a concern, Rowers, river users, and the public deserve better.”
Olympic champion rower Imogen Grant added:
“As rowers, we train on these waters every day, and the health and climate risks are deeply concerning. It’s unacceptable that we have to compete on a river with such an unavoidable threat to health”
Last month, Sir Steve Redgrave handed in a letter to Secretary of State for the Environment, addressing the need for urgent action to address the river’s pollution.
Thames Water dodging accountability
Thames Water, responsible for London’s wastewater, continues to evade responsibility. Instead of prioritising infrastructure upgrades, the company:
Went to the High Court to beg for £3bn to avoid going bust, while rewarding executives with excessive bonuses.
Allows unchecked raw sewage discharges, despite mounting public and political pressure.
Fails to invest in sustainable solutions, leaving the Thames in environmental freefall.
“Thames Water is a failing company, propped up by creditors while customers pay for a crappy service—literally,” added Erica Popplewell from River Action. “We need urgent reform—this is a scandal.”
With the Water Commission, led by Sir Jon Cunliffe, underway and due to report its recommendations in the summer, campaigners demand an end to the broken privatisation model and a complete regulatory overhaul to stop the destruction of UK rivers. Watch River Action’s water commission themed animated film – ‘Water: A Story of Hope’ – narrated by Deborah Meaden.
Athlete safety at risk
Boat Race organisers are aware of water quality concerns on the Thames, making safety a priority. British Rowing, The Rivers Trust, and River Action are ensuring competitors are informed of risks.
Participants have received ‘Guidance for Rowing When Water Quality is Poor’ safety guidelines.
Time to act
River Action urges policymakers, regulators, and the public to take immediate action. Thames Water must be held accountable, and tougher regulations enforced to prevent further environmental destruction.
“This isn’t just about rowing—it’s about the future of our rivers and the communities that rely on them,” says Ms Popplewell from River Action. “We cannot let water companies continue to get away with this.”
