Water pollution levels at a top tourist attraction are 'eight times higher than the safe bathing level', according to an environmental campaign group,

Citizen scientists linked to the Stop Ure Pollution group say that their tests of the River Ure carried out in October found the level of e-coli concentration at Aysgarth Falls was eight times higher than what is officially considered to be safe for bathing.

The water sampling on October 9, organised by Yorkshire Dales River Trust (YDRT) with the support of  Stop Ure Pollution, involved ten teams of volunteers taking samples from 45 sites along the full length of the river and some of the tributaries.

Aysgarth FallsAysgarth Falls (Image: SUBMIT) This was the second time a river-length water testing had been carried out.

The first was in August when the testing team said they found a 'significant peak' in E.coli levels from Bainbridge to Spennithorne.

In comparing the figures from August to October, the Yorkshire Dales River Trust reported that 20 out of the 45 sites tested had E.coli concentrations above the levels ‘deemed sufficient for bathing water’ -   900 coliform forming units (cfu) per 100ml of water - in August, with only four sites having E.coli concentrations below that level in October.  

Water pollution levels at Aysgarth Falls in North Yorkshire:

The Trust said that on October 9: "E.coli concentrations were high (over 2000 cfu/100ml) right from the top of the catchment at Lunds, peaking at Aysgarth footbridge (9800 cfu/100ml) and remaining high until West Tanfield.

"The E.coli concentrations then rose again at Bridge Hewick (3500 cfu/100m}, dropping slightly at Boroughbridge before rising dramatically at Aldborough (9500 cfu/100ml)."

According to the Trust, there was a general increase in fine sediment particles from Bainbridge to Burn Bridge, with small peaks in the Aysgarth area, Eshington Bridge and a larger peak on the Tutt, which it said would need 'further investigation'.

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Prof Richard Loutoka, chairman of Stop Ure Pollution, said "It is a very disappointing result for the state of the river and worrying to think of all the people who use the river for various pastimes."

Along with Stop Ure Pollution's frustration, the Yorkshire Dales River Trust said that it would need further analysis of the results in August and October, while working with the Environment Agency to increase understanding of E.coli levels in the Ure Catchment.

It also wants more E.coli testing on the stretch of river between Bainbridge and Jervaulx; plus further analysis on the Skell and Tutt tributaries.

In response to Stop Ure Pollution's concerns, the Environment Agency has said that it's working to improve water quality and gave some examples of the work it is currently doing.

An Environment Agency Spokesperson said: “We are working with several organisations to improve water quality and biodiversity in the River Ure. This includes providing funding and support for a wide range of projects and initiatives, along with giving technical advice and guidance to help landowners reduce the risk of pollution from their land.”

The Agency also highlighted that Aysgarth is not designated bathing water and has issued the following advice for people:

The Work the Environment Agency are doing:

  • Working with the Yorkshire Dales National Park and partners to improve water quality and ecology on Semer Water. This will improve both the lake and surrounding areas.
  • Providing funding and guidance for the Skell Valley Project driving improvements in habitat, ecology and water quality.
  • We actively support the work the Dales to Vale River Network as the Catchment Partnership for the Swale, Ure, Nidd and Ouse Catchment.
  • We are currently administering the Ure Dales Landscape Recovery project and providing advice to the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust on this exciting long-term landscape-wide restoration project.
  • We are providing support to the Ousewem project which is looking to use innovative natural flood risk management solutions in the catchment that include benefits for water quality and ecology.

On wild swimming:

  • Current regulations for rivers in England protect wildlife and are not designed for the protection of human health.
  • The Environment Agency monitors the ecological health of rivers, assessing the insect and plant communities that live in them. This provides an indicator of the rivers’ health since these communities can only thrive if water quality is high. A river may be ecologically healthy, but not meet the strict bacterial standards of the bathing water regulations.
  • We recommend people consult the Swim Healthy guidance to understand the risks before entering any water course:
  • People should not swim if they are already unwell.
  • We understand the increasing interest to use England’s rivers for recreation and we provide advice and guidance to individuals and groups interested in applying for bathing water status in rivers across the country.