Ouseburn pollution ‘significant risk’ to health
The amount of raw sewage in the Ouseburn river is a “significant risk” to people’s health, a report has warned.
Studies conducted by a team at Newcastle University have revealed “very concerning” findings about the level of pollution in the river, which flows through Jesmond Dene, and the threat it poses to anyone swimming in it.
Samples taken from eight points on the Ouseburn in summer and autumn of 2021 showed a high content of faecal bacteria from combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and that 72 to 77% of river bacteria during heavy rainfall came from sewage discharges.
The report adds that 16 summer samples taken from sections of the river in Jesmond Dene “exceeded various guideline values for recreational water quality” and states the the pollution “posed a significant risk to people wading and splashing around in the river”.
Researchers have now called for improved monitoring of water pollution levels and for real-time alerts to be shared so that people can be made aware of the health risks, which include contracting gastrointestinal illnesses like diarrhoea.
The study, published in the journal Science of The Total Environment, warned that there was an “elephant-sized hole in current regulation for protecting the freshwater environment in the UK” and that the analysis “consistently gave concern about the safety of people recreating in the Ouseburn”.
David Werner, a professor in environmental systems modelling at Newcastle University, said: “Our research in the summer and early autumn in 2021 showed that bacterial water quality in the Ouseburn is highly variable, and during one September storm, 72-77% of all bacteria in the Ouseburn downstream of South Gosforth originated from the sewer system.
“The Ouseburn is not designated as a Bathing Water which means microbial water quality is not routinely monitored in Jesmond Dene Park. Our work shows why microbial water quality should be monitored where rivers flow through public parks, irrespective of their bathing water status.”
Prof Werner added that “first steps” had been taken to improve the quality of water in the Ouseburn since the 2021 study.
The Ouseburn was previously the subject of an Environment Agency investigation in 2021 into a “major pollution incident” which led to people being warned not to enter the water, after photos at the time showed the river turning foamy.
Newcastle City Council said: “The River Ouseburn is an essential part of the fabric of Newcastle, with the river running through many popular beauty spots and parks in the city. The findings in Newcastle University’s report are very concerning and we would like to reassure residents that we take the issues raised very seriously.
“Discussions are ongoing with key partners in the city to develop a strategy to improve the ecological health and surroundings of the river environment. As a council, we are committed to doing all we can to support partners to restore the river back to health and ensure it continues to be a vital asset for the city.”
The Reece Foundation, which funded the study, said it commissioned the analysis as it was “concerned that the reduction in water quality and specifically pollution from human sewage was having a very detrimental effect on the Ouseburn valley as a healthy green space for people and wildlife”.
Its chair, Anne Reece, added: “The research has, by using innovatory techniques, identified one source of the pollution during storm events to be the combined sewer outflows and has thereby also shown where part of the solution to the river quality issues lie. This will enable our partners to effectively improve the river quality which will lead to the Valley becoming a thriving healthy green corridor for people and for wildlife which all the community can enjoy.”
Northumbrian Water said the study offered a “helpful insight” and that it was “working hard” to make the Ouseburn healthier.
Richard Warneford, Wastewater Director at Northumbrian Water, commented: “In the two years since the samples were taken that are reported in the study, we’ve been funding follow up activity and further investigations by the university. We’ve used this research to help us prioritise the investment work that we have planned for the area and to carry out operational work around misconnections and other contributing factors to the water quality in the Ouseburn.”