Campaigners "shocked" and "disgusted" by pollution in North Yorkshire river
The Save our Swale group has been testing the water for six months
Campaigners testing pollution levels in a North Yorkshire river say they're "shocked" and "disgusted" by the results.
Save Our Swale have been working with microbiologist Dr Keith Thomas to conduct monthly tests of river water since last September, and now the first results are in.
Over 250 analyses have been conducted at points from Upper Swaledale to Brompton-on-Swale. The group say levels of potentially pathogenic coliform bacteria (such as E. Coli) exceeded the recommended levels in 56% of samples analysed, posing a risk to humans, dogs and livestock.
For bathing status, water can be classified as ‘excellent’ at a rate of 500 coliform cells per 100 ml of water. On the Swale, a particularly high level of 93,000 cells per 100 ml was recorded in one instance from a Richmond location, and an even higher level of 650,000 was recorded further downstream at Brompton, a site regularly also recording high levels of phosphate and nitrate pollution.
Save Our Swale plans to apply for bathing water status in the autumn, which would mean that the Environment Agency have a duty to keep the water clean enough for people to swim – with a knock-on positive impact on the health of wildlife, river plants, livestock and any dogs who decide to go for a paddle.
What do the Environment Agency say?
An Environment Agency Spokesperson said: “We are determined to improve the quality of our waters and are holding the water industry, farmers and anyone who pollutes our rivers to account on a scale never seen before. "
“The River Swale and its surrounding catchments are affected by a number of complex factors and our team of specialist local officers work closely with others to address this challenge.
“This includes carrying out inspections of local sewage works and farms to ensure that they are compliant with their permits to prevent pollution from happening. Where there is evidence of non-compliance, we will not hesitate to pursue the companies or individuals and take appropriate action.