The designated river bathing spots you shouldn’t swim in this summer

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleCopy linkSix new river swimming locations, including the first on the River Thames in London, are to be officially designated as bathing sites by the government this summer. This expansion comes despite 12 of the 14 existing river bathing sites being unusable last year due to pollution from bacteria linked to human and animal faeces. Signs advising people to avoid swimming have been installed at these 12 polluted sites, with only two existing river locations meeting acceptable water quality standards. Campaigners view official designation as an effective tool to compel water companies to reduce sewage spills, despite the irony of designating polluted rivers. While the Water Minister welcomed the expansion for better monitoring and tourism, water companies warned that designating unsafe sites risks misleading the public into believing they are safe for swimming. In full‘Don’t swim’ advice at 12 of UK’s 14 designated river swimming spotsMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

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