Human and animal waste detected in England’s iconic river bathing spots

3 comments

1. Traces of human, cow and sheep faeces have been recorded at two of England’s most popular [river bathing sites](https://inews.co.uk/news/environment/hope-for-uk-wild-swimmers-as-record-number-of-bathing-sites-given-the-go-ahead-3052391?ico=in-line_link), an internal investigation seen by *The i Paper* has found.

   The designated swimming spots in Oxford and Yorkshire were the first to be established in the nation’s rivers but DNA testing by the Environment Agency (EA) has found [sewage discharges](https://inews.co.uk/news/lake-district-sewage-spill-runs-non-stop-3060959?ico=in-line_link) and agriculture are the primary culprits of their pollution.

   It was already known that the sites were heavily polluted due to high levels of bacteria in the water, but the EA has been investigating the cause of the poor water quality.

   *The i Paper* obtained copies of the watchdog’s “action plans” for Wolvercote Mill Stream and Ilkley’s River Wharfe under Freedom of Information requests.

   They show that the EA carried out a type of DNA testing that reveals whether animals or humans are responsible for the faecal matter detected at swim spots.

   The DNA testing is costly and it is understood the EA can only afford to carry it out at a limited number of sites.

   # What DNA testing has revealed about England’s bathing spots

   At Wolvercote Mill Stream in Oxford, the EA has found traces of human and animal faeces.

   The watchdog estimates that sewage is responsible for 70 per cent of pollution at the site, while agriculture is responsible for 30 per cent.

   It said further work was needed to determine the source of the human pollution as it was not believed to come from the nearest sewage treatment works run by Thames Water. Other sources being considered are septic tanks and boaters.

   At Ilkley, faecal matter from humans, cows and sheep has been recorded. The EA estimates that agriculture is responsible for 66 per cent of pollution at the site, while sewage is responsible for 33 per cent. However, these figures are disputed by local groups who have done their own testing.

   The EA has provided updates on its website in regards to the investigations at the bathing sites, but has not made the action plans or all of the underlying testing public.

2. If there are cows or sheep within a couple fields in any direction of the river this wouldn’t surprise me at all.

3. Well, we all know where the human shite comes from, the local sewerage plant

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