A site on the River Thames that has had sewage repeatedly dumped into it could become a designated bathing spot.

       The spot near Wolvercote, Oxford, would be monitored regularly during the spring and summer months for bacterial levels that could harm human health.

       The river sees an average of 46 swimmers a day during the peak season, but tests have found levels of E. coli bacteria exceeding the threshold level for safe bathing water quality.

       The bid for the spot to achieve “bathing water” status, which has been led by local campaigners, requires proof that the water is used regularly for swimming and such activity is backed by the council, rather than proof that it is safe to swim.

       If it is successful, then local campaigners hope that the regular testing between May and September by the Environment Agency will put pressure on Thames Water and local landowners to keep the stretch of river clean.

       Last month, locals held a protest after they said that the water company failed to inform them about a sewage release from the nearby treatment works on Christmas Day until 24 hours after it had taken place, despite the spot being popular during the season.

       England has only one other river with designated bathing status, a stretch of the River Wharfe at Ilkley, West Yorkshire, which was rated “poor” for water quality after tests in January found evidence of human and animal bacteria.

       The tests were the first since the Ilkley site was granted bathing status in 2020, after efforts by local campaigners who hope it will lead to the waters being cleaned up.

       The Government is under pressure to improve the quality of England’s rivers, after a report by MPs found none were free from a “chemical cocktail” of sewage, slurry and plastic pollution that is putting human and animal health at risk.

       Rebecca Pow, the environment minister, said: “It is great to see people getting involved in efforts to increase the number of designated bathing sites and I encourage local residents and swimmers to take part in these consultations so we can have as many views as possible to inform our final decision.”

       Claire Robertson, the Thames21 Oxford Rivers Project officer who submitted the application, said: “It’s self-evident that such a well-loved and well-used site should have water quality testing to help people enjoy the river safely and healthily.

       “It’s even more self-evident that raw sewage discharges should not happen anywhere near this site, for peoples’ health, but also for the many wildlife species that live in this stretch.”