'Don't swim' at 12 of 14 river bathing sites, as more locations announced

"Signs warning people not to swim are in place at almost all of England's official river bathing sites due to concerns the water could be unsafe. It comes as the government announces six new river bathing sites will be monitored for the first time this summer, including a first location on the River Thames in London. In the last week the BBC has visited all the 14 existing inland river locations which were tested by the Environment Agency last year for contamination from bacteria linked to human and animal faeces."

"Only the River Stour in Suffolk and the River Thames in Oxfordshire had acceptable levels, while water quality at the 12 others was rated "poor" and people advised not to swim. There are 13 new additions, 6 on inland rivers meaning there are now more than 460 locations being regularly tested by the Environment Agency. The vast majority are coastal, but an increasing number are on lakes and rivers with the results from the tests posted on a government website."

"In order to be designated as a bathing site the location must meet specific criteria including the number of bathers who use the site and whether there are nearby toilet facilities. Water quality at coastal locations is generally much better than inland, with rivers frequently polluted by sewage discharges and agricultural run-off. Campaigners say that getting a river designated - and the water testing regime it brings - has become one of the most effective ways to force water companies to take action to reduce sewage spills."

"One campaigner called it "bonkers" that the best way to get a polluted river cleaned up was to turn it into a popular site for swimming. Annoucing the new sites, Water Minister Emma Hardy said: "The introduction of these new bathing sites means better monitoring of our waterways, a boost for local tourism, and greater confidence for local swimmers." But water companies are less impressed at the growing number of monitored bathing site"

Warning signs are in place at almost all official river bathing sites in England because water may be unsafe. The government will monitor six new river bathing sites for the first time this summer, including a new location on the River Thames in London. In the last week, visits covered 14 existing inland river locations tested by the Environment Agency for bacteria linked to human and animal faeces. Only the River Stour in Suffolk and the River Thames in Oxfordshire met acceptable levels, while 12 sites were rated “poor” and people were advised not to swim. Coastal sites generally have better water quality, while rivers are often affected by sewage discharges and agricultural run-off. Designation requires criteria such as expected bather numbers and nearby toilet facilities. Campaigners say designation and testing pressure water companies to reduce sewage spills.

Read at www.bbc.com