A London rower told how she and crewmates became sick simultaneously after training on the Thames, putting the blame on ‘agua de caca’.
Eleanor Warren mentioned that she isn’t surprised by the latest test results which indicated elevated presence of fecal coliform bacteria like E. coli in the water.
The rower as well as the research scientist have been collaborating together. charity River Action will oversee the river conditions prior to its largest annual event, with participating teams coming in. Oxford and Cambridge will clash on the tideway tomorrow.
Since their tests began last month, 29.5% of the samples surpassed safe levels, with some being nearly triple the Environmental Agency’s standard for categorizing water as 'poor' quality.
The peak measurement was taken at Chiswick Bridge, where the tradition involves throwing the winning team's coxswain into the river.
Dr Warren, 31, told Diwida > there have been several instances where multiple individuals experienced diarrhea and vomiting simultaneously after rowing on the Thames.
“You can clearly notice when the water quality is particularly poor,” she stated. “It will have brown foam and emit an unpleasant odor.”
'Once we remove the boats from the water, you'll notice they're coated with a heavy layer of slime.'
In June 2023, she forwarded WhatsApp messages from her team members after five of them fell ill simultaneously with an ailment they referred to as 'Thames Belly'.
‘Wow, the Thames is definitely not happy with us,’ one commented after another mentioned they were experiencing stomach pains and feeling quite disoriented.
Three individuals from Oxford's team participated previously. experienced gastrointestinal issues leading up to last year's event, Later, rowing coach Leonard Jenkins suggested that his university’s team performance suffered due to 'a significant amount of waste in the water.'
River Action stated that their latest discoveries of elevated E. coli concentrations cannot be attributed to heavy rainfall boosting sewer runoff, as the climate has mostly been mild and arid. This situation prompts 'significant concerns regarding illegal releases or continuous contamination sources'.
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Rower members from Putney Town Rowing Club have been conducting tests together with those from Fulham Reach.
Dr. Warren from Putney Town rowing club mentioned, "Our club was keen to participate since we were aware that individuals have fallen ill, and we wanted to understand just how severe this situation really is."
'I go out on the water multiple times each week, and witnessing its condition inspires me to improve it, not just for my own sake but also for others who enjoy the sport.'
The rower, holding a PhD in molecular biology, commented on the findings saying, "It isn’t particularly surprising after observing the water quality for so long, but it still is disheartening."
Sir Steve Redgrave has similarly addressed the concerns regarding water quality before the event. condemning the 'dangerous' water situation.
The sports icon, who secured gold medals at five successive Olympic Games from 1984 to 2000, stated: "Oarsmen, individuals who use rivers, along with the general public, merit an improvement."
'This goes beyond rowing; it's about the well-being of everyone who uses the river. It involves protecting our environment. It's also about securing the legacy of one of the planet’s most famous waterways.'
The section of the Thames where The Boat Race takes place is not classified as bathing water; however, it is frequently utilized for recreational activities. It is also customary for the coxswain of the victorious crew to be tossed into the river following the competition.
Swimming is allowed upstream from Putney Bridge all the way to Teddington, but it isn't recommended.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan , has pledged to transform the city's waterways ‘swimmable by 2034’ .
However, Erica Popplewell, who leads the Communities division at River Action, stated that this notion is merely an "unrealistic aspiration" without comprehensive restructuring of both the water sector and its regulatory bodies.
She mentioned that the tracking system designed to monitor sewage discharge at Kew was non-operational starting from January 17th. As a result, it remains unclear how much sewage might have been released by this pipeline close to the finishing line of the race.
It has been reported that the surveillance system is operational again.
‘Precautionary measures in place’
The Boat Race stated in a release: "Concerns about water quality persist for The Boat Race."
'We have implemented a range of preventive steps this year to safeguard the well-being of our athletes.'
'Including guidelines on how to cover exposed wounds, frequent hand washing, setting up a cleaning station at the finishing area, and emphasizing the dangers of swimming in the water.'
What is E. coli?
E. coli , which represents Escherichia coli, is a kind of bacterium that resides in the digestive tracts of both animals and humans.
Many types of these microorganisms are harmless and may actually aid in digestion, yet certain ones can lead to stomach issues, and potentially more serious conditions like urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and kidney failure.
One can contract this through various means such as consuming tainted food, ingesting or swimming in polluted water, or coming into contact with infected individuals.
Many individuals who are generally fit will usually get better within a week once they start experiencing abdominal pain, loose stools, and nausea; however, those with compromised immune systems, together with small kids and seniors, face a higher danger.
Thames Water responded
A representative from Thames Water stated: "Rivers are highly changeable ecosystems, with sample readings fluctuating significantly over brief intervals." Interestingly, water quality tests for E. coli conducted by Fulham Reach Boat Club have shown results staying above the "excellent" standard level since early March.
'The boat racing course is not designated as a swimming area, hence we do not have funding for regular disinfection or sterilisation of the released wastewater. Furthermore, since being operational earlier this year, the Thames Tideway Tunnel has stopped 6,376,450 cubic metres of sewage from flowing into the tidal Thames and will decrease the amount of discharge entering the tidal river annually by approximately 95%.'
'We have been and continue to provide an unprecedented level of funding to tackle our aging infrastructure and the well-being of rivers. This encompasses £1.8 billion aimed at enhancing river health in London over the coming five years.'
'We are dedicated to ensuring the health of our waterways, yet we cannot achieve this without help. E. coli may originate from multiple sources such as animal droppings, farm runoff, stormwater drainage, and wastewater. Openness is fundamental to our operations, and we were pioneers among water companies, launching a live data map on our site voluntarily before it was legally mandated.'
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