Swimmers are being urged to take care when entering the River Swale in Richmond this summer after campaigners revealed elevated bacteria levels at one of the town’s most popular bathing spots.
Save Our Swale (SOS) says recent testing has shown the designated bathing water site at the Fosse, near Barrie’s Ices, is currently within accepted safety limits overall, although there have been occasional spikes in bacteria levels.
The site was recently granted designated bathing water status by the Environment Agency following a successful campaign by SOS volunteers and is now regularly monitored by the agency.
However, the group says its own testing has found a different picture at the popular Swimming Pool Beach below Station Bridge, which is not an officially designated bathing water site and is not monitored by the Environment Agency.
According to SOS, water samples taken between April and June this year recorded average E. coli levels of 4,500 counts per 100ml of water – around four-and-a-half times higher than the level regarded as safe for swimming.
Campaigners warn that the bacteria levels could pose a health risk to people entering the water.
SOS is urging anyone planning to swim in the River Swale to follow World Health Organisation guidance, including avoiding entering the water until 48 hours after the last rainfall, covering any cuts or wounds with waterproof dressings, avoiding swallowing river water and washing thoroughly with soap and water after swimming.
The group says it continues to carry out its own water quality testing alongside the Environment Agency’s monitoring programme at the designated bathing water site.
It is also in discussions with North Yorkshire Council about installing Save Our Swale-funded warning signs at Swimming Pool Beach to alert visitors to the potential risks associated with water pollution.
