United States: Dangerous E. coli has been found at “alarmingly high” concentration in the River Thames in England just days before the Elite rowers compete in the international Henley Regatta, anti-pollution activists have said.
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Starting on Tuesday, about four thousand, mostly international rowers, are expected to race for four hundred heats to earn themselves a place in what has been known as the unique water course race conducted on the water channel since 1839.
Independent samples obtained by the River Action campaign group before the race also revealed E. coli bacteria levels seventeen to twenty-seven times over the standard limit for water used for bathing and swimming, which raised concerns about the health of the people after an increase in the cases of E. coli in the country, CNBC News reported
More about the E. coli tests
E. coli is a group of bacteria that are normally non-pathogenic; however, they can discharge toxins that contribute to serious sickness.
River Action tested water in the Henley Mile – the part of the regatta course outside the Oxfordshire town – 27 times between May 23 and June 25 and registered an average of 1,213 E.coli CFUs per 100 ml of water. Whichever it is, it said in a statement Thursday that the levels are “alarmingly high.
The campaign group added that if it is above 900 CFUs/100ml, it does not meet the Environment Agency’s inland bathing water quality standard and is considered dangerous to people’s health.
Over half (47 percent) of the readings exceeded the acceptable norm. The highest was 25,000 Colony Forming Units per 100 milliliter and this is over 27 times higher.
More than half (47%) of readings were found to be above the acceptable limit. The highest recorded was 25,000 CFUs/100ml, more than 27 times higher.
River Action also determined that the E. coli percentage Went up to ten times higher in the March sample taken for tests, as CNBC News reported.
James Wallace, the head of River Action, stated clearly that the government and Thames Water, which is in charge of supplying water in the region, have not dealt well with the water hygiene levels.
He said, “This is a health emergency. The new government must get a grip on the water pollution crisis and ensure that water companies, including Thames Water, invest urgently in upgrading wastewater treatment plants and fix their leaky infrastructure before someone becomes seriously ill, or worse,” as CNBC reported.