Page 9 - River Action News Today

High levels of E.coli have been found along a stretch of the River Thames that will be used for the historic Oxbridge Boat Race this weekend.

Ahead of the race, scientists are urging those competing to cover any cuts and not to swallow river water - after tests revealed high levels of E.coli along the stretch of the river that will be used.

Environment Agency data shows sewage spilled into England's waterways for over 3.6 million hours last year.

Sixteen tests around Hammersmith Bridge in west London over a month found high levels of the bacteria.

Jumping into London’s River Thames has been the customary celebration for members of the winning crew in the Boat Race, the nearly 200-year-old rowing contest between storied English universities Oxford and Cambridge. Now it comes with a health warning. Testing by the River Action campaign group found high levels of E.coli along a stretch of the Thames in southwest London that will be used for the historic race taking place on Saturday.

High levels of E.coli have been found along a stretch of the River Thames that will be used for the historic Oxbridge Boat Race this weekend.

High levels of E.coli have been found along a stretch of the River Thames that will be used for the historic Oxbridge Boat Race this weekend.

The tradition of the winning cox in the Oxford v Cambridge Boat Race being thrown into the Thames by their team-mates may have come to an end this year - because of sewage in the water.

Sixteen tests around Hammersmith Bridge in west London over a month found high levels of the bacteria.

High levels of E.coli have been found along a stretch of the River Thames that will be used for the historic Oxbridge Boat Race this weekend.