Spectators at Henley-On-Thames (Image: Getty)
Citizen scientists have found “alarmingly” high levels of E.coli bacteria from sewage along the stretch of river being used for the Henley Royal Regatta.
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Around 4,000 rowers are expected to take to the water this weekend for qualifying races.
Sir Steve Redgrave, the most successful male rower in Olympic history, said: “Today’s findings provide a stark reminder of the impact that sewage pollution is having on our rivers.
“Our rowers train daily all around the country. Our waterways are vitally important to our competitors racing, but also to all those athletes training on a daily basis nationwide.
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“Our top priority has been, and always will be, the safeguarding of our competitors. This year, as part of the documentation provided to all entrants competing in the Regatta, everyone is being given the latest guidance from British Rowing on how to protect themselves.”
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Test results between May 23 and June 25 indicate an average of 1,213 E.coli colony forming units (CFU) per 100ml of water.
This excludes the highest recorded spike from June 19 so far which reached 25,000 CFU, more than 27 times the acceptable limit.
The reading should be below 900 CFU per 100ml to meet the lowest water quality deemed safe for swimming
Citizen scientist Dave Wallace, from Henley and Marlow River Action Group who conducted the testing, said: “The river in Henley is internationally famous and has one of the highest levels of recreational and sporting uses of any stretches on the Thames.
“It is so badly polluted by dangerous levels of E.coli and other pathogens primarily from sewage, as shown by our testing which can be harmful to people’s health. We need action now to clean up the river. We cannot wait!”
Severe strains of E.coli can cause stomach cramps, bloody diarrhoea and vomiting.
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Rowers have been issued guidance to avoid sickness such as advice to cover cuts, grazes and blisters with waterproof dressings, taking care not to swallow river water that splashes close to the mouth and cleaning all equipment thoroughly.
Campaigners have blamed the river pollution on Thames Water.
Former Undertones star Feargal Sharkey said: “The Government has allowed Thames Water to accrue ￡15 billion in debt rather than invest in maintaining and upgrading their sewage infrastructure.
“This failing corporation and frequent polluter needs to be put into special administration and refinanced without a public bailout, with the new government assuring its 15 million customers they will not pay the price of decades of deregulation and profiteering.”
A Thames Water spokesman said: “We have been conducting testing for e.coli and intestinal enterococci in the river Thames in Henley since mid May, using specialist contractors to collect samples every other day, at two sites on the river, which are then tested and analysed in our ISO accredited laboratory. ？
“What these laboratory tested results show so far is that e.coli levels in the Henley stretch of the Thames are consistently achieving levels the Environment Agency would deem as ‘Good’ for bathing waters, during dry conditions.
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“There have been two days in May and two days in June where there were spikes in the readings following rainfall. Notably, our Sewage Treatment Works in the area have not released untreated effluent since 14 May, demonstrating that multiple sources are likely to have contributed to these elevated readings, which could include farming, industry, road runoff and wildlife.
“We have published all the results on our website, so the public can see the data and use it to make an informed choice about how they use the river. We’ve also shared all our results with the local rowing and swimming groups. River Action should take the same transparent approach and publish all their results for the days they tested, instead of only sharing selective days that support their chosen narrative.
“We need honest and balanced debate that recognise the range of factors impacting river health, rather than an alarmist approach that tries to apportion blame in a misguided way.”
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