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“Somebody is going to die because of the pathogen levels we have in rivers.”
That was the stark warning told to the Environmental Audit Committee by ecologist and campaigner Charles Watson from River Action.
He said the level of water quality testing done in waterbodies that people use for leisure activities was inadequate to protect human health.
Watson called for monitoring to be carried out for Escherichia coli (E.coli) as an indicator of whether water sources contain pathogens.
“If there’s E.coli in the water, you know there’s something else,” he said and pointed out that River Action had issued notices on the presence of E.coli ahead of a boat race on the River Thames in March.
The Environment Agency is only required to provide public health guidance at designated bathing sites, which Watson cautioned would lead to a death because the public use many more areas for swimming and water activities that are not designated.
The environmental regulator should be issuing public notices along rivers, Watson asserted, regardless of whether a site is designated or not, to keep the public safe. “At the moment, it’s not safe,” he said.
Risk of contamination from pathogens, as well as chemicals and other substances can enter waterways from multiple pollution sources. These could include wastewater treatment, agriculture and land management, industry or manufacturing or runoff from highways.
This week the number of designated bathing water sites rose to 451, with 27 new additions. This means the water quality will be tested during the April to September bathing season, and action taken to reduce pollution. It does not guarantee water will be clean or safe for bathers.
Rob Colins, director of policy and science at Rivers Trust, echoed Watson’s concerns and added that the EA does not hold information on pathogens in waterbodies.
He said that although the Rivers Trusts welcomes designations of bathing sites, the process for de-designation did not leave sufficient time to see improvements.
Pathogens in water hit headlines this week as South West Water issued a boil notice because traces of cryptosporidiosis were detected in Brixham, Devon.
The parasite, which led to more than 20 cases of diarrhea, was traced to a reservoir. Chief executive Susan Davy apologised falling “significantly short” of customers’ expectations.
The company had initially said the bug was not present in its testing, but subsequent tests showed it did show up.
“I am truly sorry for the disruption and wider anxiety this has caused,” Davy said. “While incidents like these are thankfully very rare, our customers expect a safe, clean, and reliable source of drinking water. I know on this occasion we have fallen significantly short of what you expect of us.”
People living in the effected area will automatically be compensated £115, either credited to their water bill account or returned directly, if the company holds their banking details.
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