RIVER SWIMMING

Stories about the polluted state of the water in British rivers are rarely absent from the news - so how can you know where is safe to swim?

- KATIE BINNS

The popularity of wild swimming in UK rivers has boomed in recent years — especially since the pandemic, when people sought a closer connection with nature. But as our interest has taken off, so too have headlines about poor water quality from sewage and chemical pollution. So what exactly is happening, and how safe is it to take a cooling dip this summer?

What’s happening in UK rivers?

Sewage spills and agricultural pollution are the leading causes of dirty rivers. And the latest figures are alarming: only 14% of England’s rivers are classified as being of ‘good’ ecological status, according to a government report published in January 2022. That year, 375,000 sewage spills into rivers and other waterways in England and Wales were recorded.

Why is it a difficult issue?

Community groups have been galvanised to form local campaigns to tackle river pollution, while both The Times and The i newspapers have launched drives to raise awareness and attempt to force a change in government policy. However, environmental experts point out that there’s a lack of quantitative knowledge.