The Oxford vs Cambridge boat race yesterday highlighted the extent of the pollution in the River Thames. The tradition is for the cox of the winning boat to be thrown into the water - this year all the rowers will be trying their damnedest not to fall in at all. The 36 rowers were warned before the race of the high levels of pollution found in the river. This pollution is likely attributed to the vast quantity of sewage which is pumped into the river. The environment agency (EA) revealed 3.6 million hours of sewage discharges were made into British rivers last year. Sean Bowden, coach of the Oxford University boat club, declared the water quality in British rivers “a national disgrace” as E. coli levels detected in the Thames reached alarming levels. Surveys found an average of 2,869 E. coli colony forming units per 100 ml of water (almost three times the recommended limit) in samples taken around Hammersmith bridge, where Saturday’s boat race was staged.
These findings point to storm-water sewage pollution entering the Thames being the main contributor to the river’s deteriorating water quality. London has a combined sewage system – meaning that rainwater and waste water flow together in the same pipes. This system was built for Victorian London when the population was far smaller. The capital’s sewage system is stretched to capacity by carrying the sewage produced by London’s modern day population. When it rains, the pipes which are already full, do not have the capacity to hold the rainwater as well. Currently to avoid rainwater and sewage from flooding our homes, the mix is discharged into the Thames and is known as storm-sewage pollution.
Over the years, Slough has long enjoyed the benefits of its proximity to the river, which has served as a vital resource for both recreation and industry. However, this spectre of pollution now looms large, casting a shadow over the town and its residents. According to local authorities, pollutants ranging from sewage effluent to toxic chemicals have been detected in alarming concentrations, posing a grave threat to both human health and the ecosystem. Last year alone, in nearby Windsor, sewage was discharged into the river for a total of 993 hours - this was the second-worst recorded spot down the entire river. This discharge of untreated sewage, combined with runoff from urban areas and industrial sites upstream, has turned the once-clear waters of the Thames into a hazardous cesspool.
For the residents of Slough, the impact of the pollution crisis is keenly felt in their daily lives. Concerns about water quality have escalated, with many fearing the potential health risks associated with exposure to contaminated water. Fishing, once a popular pastime along the riverbanks, has been curtailed amid warnings of tainted fish stocks, while recreational activities such as boating and swimming have become increasingly perilous endeavours.
In response to these mounting concerns, community leaders and environmental activists have mobilized to demand action from policymakers and authorities. Calls for increased monitoring and regulation of industrial discharges, as well as investment in sewage infrastructure upgrades, have grown louder in the face of this escalating crisis.
Despite the challenges ahead, residents remain resilient in their determination to safeguard the health and well-being of their community and the river that binds them together. As the battle against pollution wages on, the residents of Slough stand united in their commitment to restoring the River Thames to its former glory and preserving it as a cherished natural resource for generations to come.
