Due to Untreated Sewage Discharge, Recent Pollution Levels Severe
"Beware of Splashing Water" Warning Issued at Rowing Competition
The Thames River, known as the "lifeline of England," which runs through central and southern England including the capital London, is facing disgrace due to pollution caused by human waste. Participants in the rowing competition between the prestigious Oxford and Cambridge universities, boasting a 195-year tradition, have even been warned to "beware of splashing water." On the 29th of last month (local time), British media such as The Guardian and The Telegraph reported that the environmental group River Action discovered alarmingly high levels of E. coli in the Thames River section between Putney and Mortlake, where the rowing competition is held.
River Action recently collected water samples from the Thames and conducted water quality tests, finding an average of 2,863 CFU (colony-forming units) of E. coli per 100 ml of water, with a maximum of 9,801 CFU. This is nearly ten times the UK Environment Agency's bathing water quality standard of less than 1,000 CFU.
A warning to "beware of splashing water" has been issued to participants in the rowing competition between the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, which boasts a 195-year tradition. [Photo by Reuters·Yonhap News]
In response, British Rowing, the support organization for rowing athletes, and River Action have advised all competitors in the event to fully cover any wounds and avoid contact with the river water. They also cautioned to be careful of splashing water while rowing and urged athletes to seek medical attention if they accidentally swallow river water. Although it is a tradition for the winning team to jump into the river in celebration, this has also been banned for safety reasons.
The severe pollution of the Thames River by human waste is due to privatized water companies, since 1989, discharging large amounts of untreated sewage over a long period. Recently, the UK Environment Agency announced that the total duration of untreated sewage discharge across the UK in 2023 was 3.6 million hours, more than double that of 2022.
In the UK, rainwater and sewage flow through the same pipes, and during floods, the system is designed to release some sewage to prevent backflow. This should only be allowed in very exceptional cases, but environmental groups have analyzed that the problem has worsened due to indiscriminate allowances. Despite this serious pollution, fundamental solutions seem difficult to achieve.
Since the privatization of UK water companies during Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's administration in 1989, they have focused on increasing profits for shareholder dividends rather than investing in facilities or improving services. In particular, Thames Water, the largest company, is owned by private equity funds and overseas pension institutions, with debts reaching ?14 billion (approximately 24 trillion KRW) last year. In this situation, Thames Water recently proposed measures such as a maximum 40% increase in water charges as a self-help plan, drawing even more public criticism.
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