Clean river groups hit out over Thames Water E.coli ‘alarmist' claim

CAMPAIGNERS have blasted Thames Water for accusing them of being "alarmist" about river quality.

- Steph Spyro

Leading activists have now signed an open letter to the firm's chief executive Chris Weston, demanding urgent improvements.

Among the signatories are former Undertones star and river campaigner Feargal Sharkey and wildlife presenter Steve Backshall.

Activists had last month revealed "alarmingly high" levels of E.coli in part of the Thames.

But in response, Thames Water said: "We need honest and balanced debate that recognises the range of factors impacting river health, rather than an alarmist approach that tries to apportion blame in a misguided way."

Risk

James Wallace, chief executive of campaign group River Action, said: "Our testing was rigorous, robust, used World Health Organisation verified technology, was independently approved, and published on several websites.