LONDON (AP) — The coach of Oxford’s crew participating in the Boat Race has criticized the pollution in London’s River Thames, labeling it a “national disgrace.” The company responsible for the river's upkeep is facing financial difficulties, prompting calls for it to be taken back into state hands.
Recent testing by a campaign group revealed high levels of E.coli along a section of the Thames in southwest London, where the historic race is scheduled to take place on Saturday. Crew members have been cautioned about the health risks of entering the water and advised to use a “cleansing station” at the finish area. The pollution has even raised concerns about the traditional post-race practice of throwing the winning cox into the water.
Figures released by the Environment Agency indicate that sewage spills into England’s rivers and seas by water companies more than doubled in 2023 compared to the previous year, reaching 3.6 million hours of spills in 2023 compared to 1.75 million hours in 2022.
Despite the pollution concerns, there has been no indication that the annual Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge will be canceled. The women's race will precede the men's event along the same 4.2-mile section of the Thames.
Oxford coach Sean Bowden expressed dismay over the state of the water, calling it a “national disgrace” and emphasizing the need for attention to be drawn to the issue. The potential health risks have also raised doubts about the tradition of dunking the winning cox into the Thames.
Concerns over E.coli contamination have been raised, with the bacteria posing various health risks, including urinary tract infections and intestinal issues. Campaign group River Action suggested that the pollution source was Thames Water discharging sewage directly into the river and its tributaries.
Thames Water's chief executive, Chris Weston, acknowledged the issue and highlighted the various sources of E.coli contamination, including sewage, land run-off, highway run-off, and animal feces. The company is under pressure to address the problem and ensure the Thames is safe for public use.
Thames Water's financial challenges have led to speculation about potential nationalization, as shareholders have refused to inject funds without a significant increase in water bills. The company is seeking a new funding arrangement to address its debt and environmental responsibilities.
The state of Britain's waterways is expected to be a key issue in the upcoming general election, with the Labour Party promising new investments to fix the sewage system without burdening taxpayers.
