View of rowers from behind cox as River Thames said to be suffering from E-coli ahead of Henley Royal Regatta

Another day, another story about the UK’s ongoing water pollution. This time it’s the Thames which is under fire as, yet again, pollution threatens to strip the sheen from Henley Regatta. Around 4,000 rowers are scheduled to take part, with a record number of 772 entries. Last year, local groups testing the water found unsafe levels of E-coli and intestinal enterococci, and this year – with all the pressure put on water companies in the past 12 months – it’s the same all over again.

High levels of E-coli have been found along the regatta’s stretch of the River Thames, says Henley and Marlow River Action. The group is testing the water on the Henley Mile daily from May 23 until July 7 using samples from close to a Thames Water combined sewers overflow (CSO) pipe that can discharge untreated sewage directly into the river.

The group found that nearly half (47 per cent) of the tests taken up to June 25 did not meet the Environment Agency threshold for inland bathing water quality.

“The river pollution is most likely the fault of Thames Water,” says CEO of River Action James Wallace. “On behalf of rowers and Thames communities, we demand that they stop this deluge of raw sewage, which threatens river users with serious sickness and the river’s biodiversity. This is a health emergency.

“It is shocking that we have had to issue health advice to the competitors of the Henley Royal Regatta. Thank goodness the organisers are showing a duty of care to the rowers by issuing guidance that will help to keep competitors safe. Clearly, rower and river user health is a priority. We applaud them for their actions and hope everyone competing in the Regatta stays healthy. As we saw at the recent university Boat Race in London on the River Thames, there is a risk that rowers can become unwell from waterborne pathogens which not only affects their race but puts their health and sport at risk.

“The new government must get a grip of the water pollution crisis and ensure that water companies, including Thames Water, invest urgently in upgrading wastewater treatment plants and fix their leaky infrastructure before someone becomes seriously ill, or worse.”

Thames Water denies wrong-doing in pollution of River Thames

Thames Water says the method of testing is not transparent.

“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,” says a Thames Water spokesperson.

“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.

“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.”

River Action’s results are available to view online.

“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,” the spokesperson concludes.

At least 50 swimmers reported suffering from diarrhoea and sickness after competing in sea swimming events at the World Triathlon Championship in Sunderland in August last year. An Environment Agency report (published after the event) shows high levels of E-coli. And, a death was reported in the UK this week from a recent E-coli outbreak.

River Action says its testing site is on the Henley Mile where the races take place. It’s used a Fluidion World Health Organization verified E-coli analyser, and had its results analysed by Earthwatch. The group says its tests revealed levels of E-coli up to 25,000 CFU (colony forming units) per 100ml. This is more than 27 times higher than what the Environment Agency grades designated bathing waters as poor, the bottom of four categories. The testing locations suggest that the source of pollution is from Thames Water discharging treated effluent containing bacteria, and untreated sewage directly into the river and its tributaries, says River Action’s statement.

Rower celebrates by splashing water from River Thames. Henley Royal Regatta has issued warning for rowers not to get water into mouths after e-coli test results on Thames

Rower guidance for competing in polluted waters

Henley Regatta organisers have included guidance for rowers, written by British Rowing, River Action and The Rivers Trusts, on minimising the risk of illness due to proximity to polluted water. It includes tips such as covering cuts, grazes, and blisters with waterproof dressings, taking care not to swallow river water, wearing suitable footwear when launching or recovering a boat, and cleaning all equipment thoroughly.

“Today’s findings provide a stark reminder of the impact that sewage pollution is having on our rivers,” says Sir Steve Redgrave, the most successful male rower in Olympic history and chair of the committee of management for Henley Royal Regatta (pictured below). “Henley Royal Regatta supports the research undertaken by River Action, which highlights the essential work that needs to be done to improve the cleanliness of our waterways for all to enjoy. 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. Our top priority has been, and always will be, the safeguarding of our competitors.

Chap holds up sign encouraging people to vote for clean rivers after River Thames has dangerously high levels of E-coli prior to Henley Royal Regatta

“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.”

Clean rivers campaigner Feargal Sharkey says: “The government has allowed Thames Water to accrue £15 billion in debt rather than invest in maintaining and upgrading their sewage infrastructure.

With the UK general election next week, River Action wants urgent action from politicians on the UK’s water pollution emergency. The campaign group calls on whichever party forms the next government to adopt its five-point plan to save the UK’s rivers, including prosecuting the polluters, and properly resourcing and reforming the environmental regulators which have allowed the desecration of rivers like the Thames for more than a decade.

This summer’s Henley Royal Regatta sees a record number 772 entries, eclipsing the 2022 record of 739. A total of 27 nations have registered overall, the highest ever in the event’s 185-year history. The entry list features 554 domestic and 218 overseas entries. This year will see the most races ever at Henley Royal Regatta of 409, up by 15 on last year.

Continue reading about the totally depressing subject of marine pollution.

Rowing images courtesy of Henley’s Royal Regatta 2021. Sir Steve Redgrave courtesy of Jim Donahue at River Action.

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