Sewage warning signs considered for Ilkley despite River Wharfe 'Bathing Status'
Campaigners claim water quality testing doesn't go far enough.
Signage to warn visitors about raw sewage in the River Wharfe at Ilkley is being considered by authorities, despite the water's official bathing status.
The designation was awarded in December 2020, after an application from the Ilkley Clean River Group. It means the water quality is regularly tested during summer months.
However, the campaigners say their application specified a mile-long stretch of river, and testing is only taking place in a tenth of the area.
Now, it's understood Bradford District Council are to review installing signs to warn visitors of raw sewage discharges into part of the untested river.
"It's not safe to swim in."
Professor Becky Malby, chair of the Ilkley Clean River Group, says the area being tested for water quality "doesn't apply to any of the bit where they're putting loads of sewage in the river."
By law, the Environment Agency just has to sample water in one location, which they believe to be the most populated area, but there is concern that visitors don't always see the designated area, and bathe near sewage pipes.
Prof Malby added: "All those people with their families come. They picnic and play. They think the river's designated. They don't realise there's a testing spot down there and a sign down there.
"I can only assume that what they think is, 'if they test down there near the sewage pipes, it would de-designate that bit, and it would say it's not safe to swim in.'
"Well it's not! How are we going to trigger a clean-up of the river if no-one is testing the water?"
While signage is reviewed by officials, Prof Malby says volunteers will be on hand to tell visitors, "we know what the water quality's like. We know when it's safe and we'll tell them, 'it's a lovely day today, it didn't rain, it's going to be great.'
"If it has recently rained we'll say, 'you might want to know that when it rains there tend to be sewage outflows.'"
An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “As stipulated by legislation a bathing water sampling point is chosen based on the area where most people bathe.
“In the case of the River Wharfe at Ilkley this is ‘Cromwheel’ just upstream of the suspension bridge where there is the bend in the river.
“Sample results are uploaded to the Swimfo website throughout the bathing season (15 May to 30 September). The site also includes further details about the bathing water and a map showing its location."
In the future...
The sewage being pumped into the river is part of a storm overflow system operated by Yorkshire Water, although the company says it is working on alternatives.
A Yorkshire Water spokesperson said: "The health of our rivers is an issue that has really captured the attention of the public recently and that is testament to the work of Professor Malby and the Ilkley Clean River Group. Not only have they achieved bathing water status in Ilkley, they have brought the issue to the attention of government, and we’re keen to play our part in what we want the Wharfe and other rivers to be like in future.
"For the Wharfe in particular, we and other stakeholders in the region have formed a partnership with the aim of delivering improvements. This will not be a short-term fix and will require significant investment as well as multiple agencies working together closely to play their part in achieving our aims for the Wharfe.
"In the short term we have identified areas to help reduce the number of discharges from CSOs. This includes reducing the amount of surface water infiltrating the sewer network from Ilkley Tarn, which will help to separate foul and surface water drainage, and upgrading Rivadale CSO. A timetable for work to upgrade Rivadale CSO was outlined at a recent public meeting and we are expecting this project to be completed in December 2021, with further work to increase the capacity of the sewer networks scheduled for completion in late 2022."
Professor Malby added that all things considered, becoming the UK's first official bathing water in a river is an achievement: "It will absolutely lead to some clean-up. We'll get there eventually, so we're absolutely delighted.
"It's a little bit out of the ordinary. It's always the same that if you're the first, it sort of befuddles people a bit."