River Thames spot among 13 sites shortlisted for swimming status | Rivers
A stretch of the River Thames in southwest London is being considered for designation as a formal bathing water area, a move that could signal a turning point in efforts to improve river water quality across the United Kingdom. The Thames at Ham and Kingston is one of thirteen locations across the country currently under public consultation for this status.
A Growing Movement for River Access
The push for bathing water status at the Thames at Ham stems from documented recreational use. Campaigners presented evidence demonstrating that thousands of people regularly swim in this section of the river throughout the year. Marlene Lawrence, founder of the Teddington Bluetits – a swimming group with over 2,000 members – expressed optimism, stating, “This would be amazing for the river and for the many people who enjoy it.” She added that the designation is desired as “a driver of keeping the River Thames clean.”
Potential Challenges and Existing Concerns
The potential designation arrives at a complex time for Thames Water. The company is currently pursuing a water recycling scheme that would draw millions of litres of water daily from the Thames near Ham and replace it with treated effluent from the Mogden sewage works in west London. This plan, initially proposed in 2019, was previously rejected by the Environment Agency due to anticipated environmental impacts.
Expanding the Network of Monitored Waters
The Thames isn’t alone in this potential shift. Other sites under consideration include locations in Northumberland, Devon, Cornwall, Cheshire, Berkshire, and Yorkshire. These include the River Swale in Richmond, Yorkshire, where the local campaign group, Save our Swale, has documented sewage spills impacting water quality despite decades of recreational use. Deborah Meara, chair of Save our Swale, emphasized the community’s desire to “bathe in their local river without risk from raw sewage pollution.”
The current effort builds on six years of campaigning, spurred by the EU-derived bathing water directive. Rivers across the UK are facing a multitude of pollution sources, including sewage discharge, chemical runoff, and agricultural waste.
What’s Next?
A six-week public consultation is underway, allowing local communities to voice their opinions on the proposed designations. If approved, the Environment Agency will be required to regularly monitor the water quality at these sites for fecal indicator organisms. Increased monitoring could lead to pressure on water companies to reduce sewage pollution. However, a report indicates that water quality in all but two of England’s 14 existing inland bathing sites is currently rated as poor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is bathing water status?
Bathing water status requires more rigorous testing by the Environment Agency, which is required to monitor the water for faecal indicator organisms.
How many bathing water areas are there currently?
The new designations would increase the number of designated bathing water areas to 464.
What are some of the other locations being considered?
Other locations include Little Shore in Northumberland, the River Fowey in Cornwall, the River Dee in Chester, and Pangbourne Meadow in Berkshire.
As communities weigh the benefits of increased access and cleaner waters, will these designations truly lead to lasting improvements in river health across the UK?