Water quality testing by River Action has found alarmingly high levels of dangerous E.coli bacteria from sewage pollution along the stretch of the River Thames that will be used for the weekend’s historic Gemini Boat Race between the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge.
The regular testing on the Thames by River Action with the Fulham Reach Boat Club took place between 28th February and 26th March 2024. Using a Fluidion World Health Organization verified E.Coli analyser, the tests revealed levels of E.coli up to 10 times higher than what the Environment Agency considers acceptable for designated bathing waters graded poor, the bottom of four categories. When bathing water is graded ‘poor’ the Government’s advice is against bathing. The testing locations suggest that the source of pollution is from Thames Water discharging sewage directly into the river and its tributaries.
Rowers spend a huge amount of their daily lives either on or by the water. British Rowing, River Action and The Rivers Trust have developed a set of guidelines for rowing on poor quality water. ‘Guidance on rowing when water quality is poor’ has been written to minimise the risk of contracting illness due to proximity to polluted water.
Included are helpful tips on the importance of covering cuts, grazes, and blisters with waterproof dressings, taking care not to swallow river water that splashes close to the mouth, wearing suitable footwear when launching or recovering a boat, and cleaning all equipment thoroughly.
The new guidance has been issued to rowing clubs across the country. The upcoming Boat Race has included the guidance in their briefing packs to both universities and issued further advice to ensure the athletes are as safe as possible when competing in the iconic race this coming weekend.
CEO of River Action James Wallace said, “We are in a tragic situation when elite athletes are issued with health guidance ahead of a historic race on the capital’s river. Our water quality results show what happens after decades of neglect by an unregulated water company, Thames Water. However, thanks to the vigilance of competition organisers, supported by British Rowing, River Action and The Rivers Trust, we are pleased they are showing their duty of care to the competing teams this weekend, and working with us to address the source of the problem: ending river pollution.
“For the safety of river users everywhere, rowers, communities and conservationists are uniting to ask the Government to enforce the law and to prosecute polluters. River Action wants water companies to honour their commitments to the regulators and bill payers by investing in their infrastructure and stop dumping sewage. Everyone should be able to enjoy our rivers and seas without risking their health.”
Imogen Grant, triple Boat Race winner with Cambridge, double World and European champion rower said, “As a rower, the water I row on is my field of play, and the results of the E.coli testing show that rowers are putting their health at risk to do the sport they love. Thousands of people rely on our rivers for work and recreation, and they are being choked with sewage and pollution. More needs to be done to improve our water quality across the country, and testing like this gives us a picture of just how far we have to go.”
Responding to the results of water quality testing on the River Thames, CEO of Fulham Reach Boat Club Adam Freeman-Pask said, “High levels of E.coli match the trend of organic pollution found through our citizen science water quality testing. This data must serve as a wake-up call for policymakers, regulators, and water companies. The river is a lifeline for Londoners’ health and wellbeing, which we need to protect. We welcome the new guidance to help us enjoy the river safely.”
CEO of British Rowing Alastair Marks said, “As rowers, we spend the majority of our time on and around the water, so water quality is a particularly key issue to us. Over 30 rowing clubs sit along the Boat Race course, with thousands of rowers taking to the Thames every day. Our recently launched Environmental Sustainability Strategy outlines the steps rowers can take to row safely, so we can keep rowing and keep inspiring a love and care for our waters in our community. We’re impressed at how quickly our clubs and members have got behind our newly issued guidance, and how competitions are using it to keep their competitors safe.”
River champion and naturalist Steve Backshall MBE said, “I am appalled but unsurprised by the high levels of E.coli detected by River Action in the stretch of the Thames where the university rowers will compete.
“Recently we heard from Thames Water how they will not contribute to a £180m industry-wide scheme to fast-track efforts to reduce pollution in England’s waterways. But they do want to increase customer bills and increase dividends to shareholders as well as position to get a massive taxpayer bailout to clear debts including a £190m loan due in April. From where I am standing, Thames Water is one flush from disappearing down its broken sewage pipe.”
ENDS
For interviews call Ian Woolverton on 07377 547 362 or email media@riveractionuk.com
NOTES TO EDITORS
Between February 28th and March 26th, River Action conducted extensive testing (16 tests in total) on the River Thames near Fulham Reach Boat Club around Hammersmith Bridge. Tests results indicate an average of 2,863 E.coli colony forming units (CFU) per 100ml of water. To meet bathing water quality standards, this level should be below 1,000 CFU per 100ml. Our highest recorded spike reached 9,801 CFU, nearly ten times the acceptable limit. By comparison, the Environment Agency conducts between 3 and 20 water quality tests of bathing water sites between May and September to decide the status. According to the Environment Agency, an inland water registering 1,000 CFU or greater is unsafe to swim.
According to publicly available data, by 26th March Thames Water had discharged sewage into the Greater London area of the River Thames for 1,914 hours since the start of 2024, equivalent to 79 days. The data comes from 40 storm overflow sites between Kingston and the mouth of the river in the east.
Environment Agency statistics for 2022 showed sewage was spilled 300,953 times in England for a total of 1.7 million hours, equivalent to 824 spills a day. New data is expected to be released this week (expected on Thursday) by the EA which will likely show an increase for 2023.
The E.coli bacterium is found in faeces and can survive in the environment. It can cause a range of infections including urinary tract infection, cystitis (infection of the bladder), and intestinal infection, stomach cramps, bloody diarrhoea, and vomiting. In the worst of cases, some strains of E.coli can lead to life-threatening sepsis (blood poisoning) requiring urgent medical attention.
River Action conducts citizen science on waterways to determine whether there are pathogens present harmful to the health of humans and wildlife. We are on a mission to rescue Britain’s rivers by raising awareness of the crisis facing our rivers, and the failure of Government funded environmental agencies to make water companies invest in their polluting infrastructure and to prosecute illegal business practices that cause river pollution.
