Family swim spot gets 'poor' water rating

The River Thames at Wallingford has been a popular place to swim for decades

A popular swimming area for families on the banks of the River Thames has been rated as having "poor" water quality.

Wallingford Beach in Oxfordshire was made a designated bathing water site in May.

The status means the Environment Agency (EA) has been monitoring the beauty spot's water quality to protect people's health.

Spikes of bacteria in two of the 19 samples taken caused the negative rating, according to local authorities.

Charity Thames21 applied for the beach to be granted bathing water status in 2023.

The 35m-long (115ft) stretch is on the bank of the Thames, downstream from Wallingford Bridge.

Hundreds of people bathe and paddle there on the hottest days of summer, according to citizen science surveys.

Designated bathing water sites are tested weekly by the EA between May and September

South Oxfordshire District Council said it was "obviously disappointed" at the results, which were published on Tuesday.

The authority's leader David Rouane and River Thames champion Jo Robb said they had wanted to ensure the water was regularly tested, allowing people to make informed choices about where they swam.

“Rivers and streams are struggling to cope due to water pollution, including in the Thames," they said in a joint statement.

"While we knew bathing water status would not immediately solve that issue, it should mean Thames Water would be legally required to treat waste outflows to a much higher standard."

Dr Pete Sudbury, deputy leader of Oxfordshire County Council, called the result "completely unacceptable".

"All those parties that are contributing to pollution levels at this popular spot must clean up their acts with immediate effect," he said.

Wolvercote Mill Stream near Godstow was also ranked as "poor" for the third year in a row.

Thames Water said the vast majority of results for the season at Wallingford Beach had been either "good" or "sufficient", but on two occasions elevated E. coli had been recorded in the water.

The water company said it would carry out "extensive investigations".

"Pollutants, animal faeces from livestock and wildlife, along with run off from farms and roads can also contribute to hazards found in watercourses," a spokesperson said.

“Nearby Benson Sewage Treatment Works has recently been upgraded at a cost of more than £9m... this will reduce the need for untreated discharges in wet weather."