England’s Rivers Need Urgent Action To Protect Public Health and Wildlife

Rivers are vital sources of water, recreation, and biodiversity, but they are also vulnerable to pollution from various human activities.

Pollution can affect the health and well-being of people and wildlife that depend on rivers, as well as the quality and availability of water resources.

Pollution can come from many sources, such as agricultural runoff, industrial waste, sewage, litter, and chemicals.

One of the most common indicators of river pollution is the presence of fecal bacteria, which are microorganisms that live in the intestines of humans and animals.

Fecal bacteria can enter rivers through stormwater runoff, sewage overflows, animal waste, or direct contact with contaminated water, and it can cause various diseases, such as diarrhea, dysentery, typhoid fever, and cholera.

(Photo : LOIC VENANCE/AFP via Getty Images)

Swimming in rivers or wading and splashing around in streams is one of the most enjoyable things you can do on a hot summer day.

However, before you dive in, you should check if the river is polluted and whether it is safe to go in the water. Here are five ways to do that:

1. Check for storm overflows

Storm overflows are structures that release excess water from sewers into rivers when there is heavy rainfall, as per Phys.org.

They are designed to prevent flooding and sewage backups in homes and buildings, but they also carry pollutants such as fecal bacteria, nutrients, metals, and plastics into rivers.

Storm overflows can affect the water quality and ecology of rivers for hours or days after a rainfall event.

You can check if there are any storm overflows near your river by using online tools such as the Environment Agency's Water Quality Archive or the Rivers Trust's interactive map. These tools show the locations and frequencies of storm overflows across England and Wales.

You can also sign up for alerts from your local water company or river group to get notified when a storm overflow is activated.

If there is a storm overflow near your river, you should avoid entering the water for at least 48 hours after heavy rain, as this is when the risk of infection is highest.

You should also look out for signs of pollution, such as discolored water, foul smells, or floating debris.

2. Look at the color and clarity of the water

The color and clarity of the water can tell you a lot about the health of a river. Clear water usually indicates good water quality and high dissolved oxygen levels, which are essential for aquatic life.

However, clear water does not necessarily mean safe water, as some pollutants such as chemicals or viruses may not be visible to the naked eye.

Turbid or cloudy water usually indicates poor water quality and low dissolved oxygen levels, which can harm aquatic life.

Turbidity can be caused by suspended particles such as soil, algae, organic matter, or microplastics. It can also increase the risk of infection by fecal bacteria, as they can attach to particles and survive longer in the water.

3. Look out for sewage litter

Plastic litter derived from sewage, such as wet wipes and sanitary products, is a sign that the sewer system is discharging into a river. This kind of litter is not only unsightly and harmful to wildlife, but also indicates that fecal bacteria and other pollutants are present in the water.

Sewage litter can enter rivers through storm overflows, misconnected drains, illegal dumping, or careless disposal.

Sewage litter can also accumulate on riverbanks or catch on vegetation or debris. You can help reduce sewage litter by disposing of wet wipes and sanitary products properly in a bin instead of flushing them down the toilet.

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4. Look for signs of life

The presence or absence of life in a river can indicate its ecological health and pollution level. Healthy rivers support a diverse range of plants and animals that depend on clean and oxygen-rich water. Polluted rivers may have fewer or no living organisms due to toxic substances, low oxygen levels, or habitat degradation.

You can look for signs of life in your river by observing the surface, the banks, and the bottom of the water. For example:

•  On the surface, you may see ripples, bubbles, or splashes caused by fish, insects, birds, or mammals. You may also see floating plants such as water lilies or duckweed.
•  On the banks, you may see vegetation such as grasses, shrubs, or trees that provide shade and shelter for wildlife. You may also see animals such as frogs, snails, or dragonflies that live near the water.
•  On the bottom, you may see rocks, sand, or mud that provide habitat and food for aquatic organisms. You may also see animals such as worms, crustaceans, or mollusks that burrow or crawl on the substrate.

5. Test the water

The most reliable way to know if a river is polluted and whether it is safe to go in the water is to test it yourself or get it tested by a professional.

Testing the water can reveal the presence and concentration of pollutants such as fecal bacteria, nutrients, metals, chemicals, or toxins that may not be visible or noticeable by other means, as per The Conversation.

If you test the water yourself or get it tested by a professional, you should compare the results with the relevant standards or guidelines for recreational water quality. For example:

•  The Environment Agency's Bathing Water Directive sets standards for fecal bacteria levels in designated bathing waters in England.
•  The World Health Organization's Guidelines for Safe Recreational Water Environments provides recommendations for fecal bacteria levels and other parameters in freshwater environments.
•  The Blue Flag criteria sets standards for fecal bacteria levels and other parameters in beaches and marinas that have been awarded the Blue Flag certification.

If the test results meet or exceed the standards or guidelines for recreational water quality, it is likely that the water is safe to go in. If the test results do not meet or fall below the standards or guidelines for recreational water quality, it is likely that the water is unsafe to go in.

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