Days before the international regatta, Henley was found to have high levels of E. Coli.
Campaigners' tests of the water quality reveal levels up to 27 times the allowable limit for bathing, and rowers are advised to use caution.
# Harmful E. Coli Found at High Levels in Henley Waters Ahead of International Regatta
Harmful E. coli bacteria have been detected at very high levels in Henley, just days before elite rowers are set to compete in the international regatta there.
Water quality testing in the Henley Mile, part of the regatta course near the Oxfordshire town, revealed mean levels of 1,213 E. coli colony-forming units (CFU) per 100ml of water across 27 tests. Water quality is deemed poor and poses a public health threat when E. coli levels exceed 900 CFU/100ml, according to bathing water designations.
Campaigners from River Action recorded the highest reading at 25,000 CFU/100ml, more than 27 times the acceptable limit for bathing water. The second highest reading was 8,001 CFU/100ml of water.
As a result of these findings, Henley Royal Regatta organizers are warning the 4,000 elite rowers to take precautions against sickness and infection from the water. Rowers are advised to cover cuts and avoid swallowing river water splashes.
As thousands of rowers prepare to compete at Henley from July 2-7, Sir Steve Redgrave, a former Olympic rower and chair of the Henley Royal Regatta committee of management, emphasized the findings as a reminder of the impact of sewage pollution on UK rivers.
“Henley Royal Regatta supports the research undertaken by River Action, which highlights the essential work that needs to be done to improve the cleanliness of our waterways for all to enjoy,” Redgrave said. “Our rowers train daily all around the country. Our waterways are vitally important to our competitors racing, but also to all those athletes training on a daily basis nationwide.”
However, Thames Water disputed the claims, stating it was not responsible for the increase in bacteria and accusing River Action of being alarmist. The company reported conducting its own testing since May at two different spots in the river, with results deemed “reassuring.”
Thames Water's laboratory tests indicated that, apart from two days in May and two in June, E. coli levels were consistently within rates considered good for bathing waters. The company attributed the E. coli spikes on those days to industrial and road runoff, as well as parasites from livestock and birds, rather than its outflows.
In a tense exchange between the company and campaigners, Dave Wallace, who conducted the River Action testing in Henley, pointed out that Thames Water had taken its measurements in a different area of the river.
Wallace used a Fluidion World Health Organization-verified E. coli analyzer – a handheld microbiological laboratory – for his testing, with oversight from the NGO Earthwatch. This equipment provides results within hours, avoiding the delays of static lab-based testing.
“We have been testing the river in an area of the highest recreational use on the Henley Mile, as it is on the regatta course,” said Wallace. “We also know that the outflow of the Henley sewage treatment works impacts this area, so we were surprised that Thames Water had decided to test at the two locks, which are long distances from the regatta course, hence low usage and lower sewage impact.”
River Action's testing on the Henley Mile at Fawley Meadows began on May 28 and will run until July 7. Between May 28 and June 25, 47% of readings exceeded 900 CFU/100ml.
James Wallace, the chief executive of River Action, stated, “It is shocking that we have had to issue health advice to the competitors of the Henley Royal Regatta. Thank goodness the organizers are showing a duty of care to the rowers by issuing guidance that will help to keep competitors safe.”
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