Rowers in this weekend’s Boat Race have been advised to stay out of the Thames, cover up any blisters or cuts, and wear footwear getting into and out of their boats, due to high levels of E.coli found in the water along the famous stretch.
Clean water activist group River Action said that tests it had carried out in the past month showed 10 times what is considered a safe level of E.coli in the water opposite Fulham Reach Boat Club and put the blame squarely on Thames Water for dumping sewage into London’s iconic waterway.
The group’s warning has gained support from rowing organisations and several famous rowers. Imogen Grant, triple Boat Race winner with Cambridge, double World and European champion rower said: “The results of the E.coli testing show that rowers are putting their health at risk to do the sport they love. Thousands of people rely on our rivers for work and recreation, and they are being choked with sewage and pollution. More needs to be done to improve our water quality across the country, and testing like this gives us a picture of just how far we have to go.”
CEO of British Rowing Alastair Marks also chimed in: “As rowers, we spend the majority of our time on and around the water, so water quality is a particularly key issue to us. Over 30 rowing clubs sit along the Boat Race course, with thousands of rowers taking to the Thames every day.” The organisation announced new guidance earlier this month aimed at dealing with dirty water.
Thousands of people rely on our rivers for work and recreation, and they are being choked with sewage and pollution.
Imogen Grant, Triple Boat Race winner
That guidance was included in briefing packs given to both Cambridge and Oxford universities ahead of this weekend’s race.
CEO of River Action James Wallace said: “We are in a tragic situation when elite athletes are issued with health guidance ahead of a historic race on the capital’s river. Our water quality results show what happens after decades of neglect by an unregulated water company, Thames Water. However, thanks to the vigilance of competition organisers, supported by British Rowing, River Action and The Rivers Trust, we are pleased they are showing their duty of care to the competing teams this weekend, and working with us to address the source of the problem: ending river pollution.”
River Action’s tests were taken between 28 February and 26 March – 16 tests in total – on the River Thames near Fulham Reach Boat Club. The results gave an average of 2,863 E.coli colony forming units (CFU) per 100ml of water; bathing standards state it should be below 1,000 CFU per 100ml.
The highest reading was 9,801 CFU: ten times the acceptable limit. Publicly available data shows that Thames Water had discharged sewage into the Greater London area of the River Thames for 1,914 hours since the start of 2024, equivalent to 79 days.
