Spectators watch a race on the River Thames on the Henley Royal Regatta in Henley-on-Thames, west of London, on June 30, 2023.
Henry Nicholls | Afp | Getty Images
LONDON — Harmful E.coli bacteria has been discovered at “alarmingly high” levels within the U.K.’s River Thames just days before elite rowers are as a consequence of compete there for the international Henley Regatta, anti-pollution campaigners have warned.
From Tuesday onwards, around 4,000 rowers from across the globe are set to compete in 400 races to qualify for the enduring regatta, which has taken place along the waterway since 1839.
Water quality testing carried out by River Motion campaign group ahead of the race, found E.coli bacteria as much as 27 times the suitable limit for bathing water, prompting health concerns following an increase in E.coli cases within the country.
E.coli is a various group of bacteria which, while normally harmless, can produce toxins that could cause severe illness.
River Motion tested water within the Henley Mile — a part of the regatta course outside the Oxfordshire town — 27 times between May 23 and June 25 and located an average of 1,213 E.coli colony forming units (CFUs) per 100ml of water. It warned the degrees were “alarmingly high” in a Thursday statement.
Anything above 900 CFUs/100ml fails the Environment Agency’s inland bathing water quality standards and is deemed a threat to public health, the campaign group said.
Greater than half (47%) of readings were found to be above the suitable limit. The very best recorded was 25,000 CFUs/100ml, greater than 27 times higher.
River Motion also found E.coli levels as much as 10 times higher in March tests.
James Wallace, CEO of River Motion, accused the federal government and Thames Water, which manages water supply in the realm, of failing to appropriately manage water hygiene levels.
“This can be a health emergency. The brand new government must get a grip of the water pollution crisis and be sure that water corporations, including Thames Water, invest urgently in upgrading wastewater treatment plants and fix their leaky infrastructure before someone becomes seriously ailing, or worse,” he said in an announcement.
Thames Water didn’t immediately reply to CNBC’s request for comment, though the BBC reported that it had dubbed the findings “alarmist” and said it was monitoring bacteria levels. CNBC also contacted the federal government’s environment agency but didn’t immediately receive a response.
Chair of the Henley Royal Regatta committee of management and former Olympic rower Sir Steve Redgrave, said the findings were a “stark reminder” of the impact of sewage pollution.
“Our waterways are vitally necessary to our competitors racing, but additionally to all those athletes training on a day by day basis nationwide,” he said.
Regatta organizers have advised rowers to cover all cuts and blisters and avoid swallowing river water as hundreds of spectators descend on Henley on Thames for the event, which runs until Sunday.
It comes because the U.K. has faced an increase in E.coli cases. Two individuals with underlying health conditions died following infection with the Shiga-toxin-producing E. coli strain (STEC). One in every of the deaths is “likely linked” to their STEC infection, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said.
That exact strain is believed to have been spread via lettuce leaves inside pre-packaged sandwiches.
UKHSA said Thursday that 275 cases of the strain have been confirmed as of June 25, and urged people to observe out for symptoms which might include diarrhoea, stomach cramps, vomiting and fever.
