'Alarming' E. coli levels in River Thames days before Oxbridge rowing race

A campaign group has discovered “alarming” E. coli levels along the Thames ahead of this weekend’s historic Oxford Bridge Boat Race.

River Action and Fulham Reach Boat Club used E. coli analyzers between February 28 and March 26 to discover the bacteria, which can cause a range of infections through contaminated water.

16 tests around Hammersmith Bridge in the West London It was found that the water contained an average of 2,869 E. coli colony-forming units (CFU) per 100 ml of water, which did not meet the bathing water quality standard of less than 1,000 CFU per 100 ml of water.

River Action also recorded the highest level of 9,801 CFU, meaning it was nearly 10 times higher than the levels found in bathing water which is rated ‘poor’ by Environment Agency standards.

The government advises against bathing in such waters, with “poor” being the worst of four grades.

Testing locations indicate the source of contamination comes from Thames Water Rivers Action says the country’s largest household suppliers discharge sewage directly into the Thames and its tributaries.

This is based on public data showing that from the beginning of 2024 to March 26, the water company had discharged sewage into the Thames area of Greater London for 1,914 hours. This is equivalent to 79 days out of 85 days.

Saturday, Cambridge University Rivals from Oxford University will battle for bragging rights on the river – rowing through sections of the river where E. coli has been found.

River Action, British Rowing and the Rivers Trust have issued new guidance to clubs across the UK due to their proximity to contaminated water, which has been included in the Gemini Rowing Race briefing pack provided to both universities.

Advice for rowers includes covering cuts, scrapes and blisters with waterproof dressings, taking care not to swallow river water that splashes around the mouth, wearing appropriate footwear when launching or retrieving the boat, and cleaning all equipment thoroughly.

A ‘tragic situation’

James Wallace, head of Operation Rivers, said it was a “tragic situation” to provide health guidance to athletes ahead of the Thames Games.

Mr Wallace added: “Our water quality results show what happens after decades of neglect by Thames Water’s unregulated water company.”

The group said rowers, communities and conservationists were uniting to demand the government enforce the law and prosecute polluters.

Mr Wallace said: “Everyone should be able to enjoy our rivers and oceans without having to risk their health.”

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Imogen Grant, double world and European champion rower, said: “As a rower, the waters I row on are my racing grounds and the E. coli test results show that rowers are risking health risks to play the sport they love”.

The three-time Cambridge rowing champion added that those who rely on rivers for work and recreation are “suffocating from sewage and pollution” as she called for more to be done to improve Britain’s water quality.

E. coli can cause a range of infections, such as cystitis (bladder infection), stomach cramps and vomiting, and in the most severe cases, life-threatening blood poisoning.

It can come from a variety of sources, including animal waste, agricultural waste, road runoff and sewage.

A spokesman for Thames Water told Sky News: “London and the Thames Valley have experienced above-average long-term rainfall and groundwater levels are unusually high for this time of year.

“The overflow devices are designed to operate automatically when the sewer network is about to be overwhelmed and then release the diluted wastewater into the river rather than allowing it to flow back into people’s homes.

“We are working hard to make these discharges unnecessary and have unveiled plans to upgrade more than 250 sites, including a £100 million upgrade of Mogden sewage treatment plant in south-west London to treat the large inflows and reduce The overflow needs to be in wet weather.”