Joint application made for bathing water status for the River Thames at Wallingford

Throughout the summer, to help inform the application, Thames21 and trained volunteers from the local community recorded visitor numbers and collected 170 water quality samples along the river which were analysed by Thames Water.

The laboratory analysis will show levels of bacteria, including E.coli and Intestinal Enterococci, that are found in sewage and can make river users very ill. This data, together with surveys of river users over the summer, will be used to get a better understanding of how popular the site is and the extent of any issues with the water quality that poses a risk to humans and the overall health of the river.

The project aims to improve everybody’s understanding of the causes of river pollution locally and ensure that all users of this stretch of the river – including swimmers, rowers and anglers – can make informed decisions about how they use the Thames.

It is hoped that Defra will make their decision on the application in early 2023.

Cllr Jo Robb, South Oxfordshire District Council’s River Thames Champion, said: “The Thames in Wallingford is very popular with visitors and residents, particular over the summer.  The data we’ve collected so far is already helping us to get a better understanding of water quality in the river.  Achieving bathing water status will not solve all pollution problems. However, if our application is successful, it would guarantee ongoing testing during the bathing season and drive the investment needed to help create a cleaner river for people and wildlife.”

Cllr Marcus Harris, Mayor of Wallingford, said: “Wallingford won its sought-after curfew extension and countless other privileges by permitting William the Conqueror to ford the river Thames here in 1066. To this day, our river and beach areas remain key to the beauty and enjoyment of our town for residents and visitors alike. This is why we are proud to be applying for bathing water status, which, if we get it, would make us only the third place in England to have achieved it.”

Stephen Haywood, Natural Flood Management Programme Manager at Thames21, said: “The level of support received from the community has been amazing and is a clear representation of how much the River Thames means to Wallingford.

“The data collected has helped us to understand sources of pollution and the effects on Wallingford Beach. Throughout the summer, the evidence shows that the bathing site was safe to use but this may not always be the case.

“With or without a designation, this project has opened the door for further research and the implementation of solutions upstream to reduce the effects further. Nevertheless, we hope our application, if successful, will be part of the growing movement to clean up our rivers nationwide and accelerate investment by water companies to protect them as beautiful, precious natural places – not a place for raw sewage.”