Sir Steve Redgrave, the esteemed Olympic rowing champion, has raised alarms about the escalating pollution levels in the River Thames, cautioning that it may soon be too hazardous to host rowing events.
The man who won five successive gold medals for rowing between 1984 and 2000 expressed concerns that “the end game, the worst fear” is that crews might be unable to race due to safety issues.
Redgrave’s warning came just before the Schools’ Head of the River race, which sees 2,700 young rowers competing along the Thames from Mortlake to Putney. He advised participants to take precautions such as covering cuts, wearing protective footwear when wading, avoiding ingestion of river water, and washing immediately after racing to mitigate health risks.
The Schools’ Head of the River Race is the largest school-age rowing competition in Britain, covering a 4.2-mile stretch that concludes in Putney, mirroring the reverse course of the renowned Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race. This area has been significantly affected by pollution; River Action reported that Thames Water discharged sewage into this section of the river for 133 hours over six months. Tests revealed E. coli levels ten times higher than the government’s advised threshold for swimming, posing severe health risks including stomach cramps, diarrhoea, and fever.
Training on Thames
Reflecting on his training days, Redgrave told The Times, “I used to train down there a lot in the Eighties and the beginning of the Nineties. In the summers I would go for a swim after training sessions. I would not swim in the River Thames now, and I would not like my children to swim in the Thames.” He emphasized that societal progress should lead to improved living standards, not regression.
On the morning of the race, Redgrave delivered a letter to Environment Secretary Steve Reed, urging the government to “end pollution for profit by water companies, and take a grip of Thames Water to make sure they clean up their infrastructure.” Thames Water, currently under special measures due to £15 billion of debt, faces scrutiny over its environmental practices. Reed has initiated an independent review of the water sector, considering options such as transforming water companies into not-for-profits.
In related developments, Thames Water reported a 50% increase in raw sewage discharges into English rivers in 2024, totaling nearly 300,000 hours. This surge highlights the deteriorating state of the river and raises concerns for Putney residents and the rowing community. Environmentalists have condemned these actions, calling for stricter enforcement and better regulation of the water industry.
Putney and the Thames
The River Thames is integral to Putney’s identity, serving as a hub for rowing and recreation. The increasing pollution not only threatens public health but also jeopardizes the area’s rich rowing heritage. Local initiatives are crucial to address these environmental challenges and preserve the river’s legacy for future generations.
Historically, the Thames has long struggled with sewage-related pollution. In the 19th century, the infamous “Great Stink” of 1858—when untreated waste overwhelmed the river—led to the creation of London’s modern sewer system, masterminded by Sir Joseph Bazalgette. That intervention dramatically improved water quality and public health, transforming the Thames from an open sewer into a viable waterway once again. But as recent developments show, those hard-won gains are now being eroded.
Thames Water, established during the privatisation of England’s water industry in 1989, has repeatedly come under fire for failing to invest sufficiently in its ageing infrastructure. With growing urban pressure and climate change contributing to more frequent overflows, critics argue that the company’s prioritisation of shareholder returns over reinvestment has exacerbated pollution risks. Nowhere is this more visible than along the Putney stretch of the river, where the community’s connection to the Thames—cultural, athletic, and environmental—is at risk of being severed by neglect.
