Boat Race rowers told to avoid the water as UK sewage dumping surges
– Victorious rowers in Britain’s University Boat Race have been warned not to jump into the River Thames this weekend due to alarming levels of E. coli bacteria.
– Raw sewage was discharged for more than 3.6 million hours in 2023, more than double the previous year.
– The River Thames, which hosts the annual Boat Races between Oxford and Cambridge University students, has been affected by the sewage spills.
– Organizers have put precautionary measures in place to protect the health of athletes, including covering up open wounds, regular hand-washing, and a cleansing station at the finish area.
– British water companies have been accused of failing to invest in infrastructure, leading to routine dumping of sewage in waterways.
– The government has promised to clamp down on the dumping of sewage, which is only supposed to happen during exceptional rainfall to prevent it from backing up into homes.