British Rowing launches river clean-up initiatives in Henley-on-Thames

The initiatives follow on a report from the Rivers Trust that found not a single river in England or Northern Ireland was "in good overall health"

British Rowing has launched two initiatives dedicated to cleaning up the nation's rivers and waterways.

Its environmental sustainability strategy and rowing clean water partnership were announced at the River and Rowing Museum in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, on Wednesday.

It comes after a report that described the state of river health in England and Northern Ireland as "desperate".

The goal is to enable rowers to carry out water quality testing.

The GB Rowing Team has already begun testing the waters at the National Training Centre in Caversham, Berkshire

The latest State of Our Rivers report from the Rivers Trust revealed that not a single river in England or Northern Ireland was "in good overall health".

"Toxic chemicals that remain in ecosystems for decades pollute every stretch of English rivers," the report added.

The British Rowing environmental sustainability strategy states that when testing, "rowers should look out for high levels of phosphates and nitrates that indicate the presence of sewage and other pollutants".

It has partnered with River Action, the Rivers Trust and Aquascope to "empower" rowers to conduct extensive water quality testing.

The British Rowing environmental sustainability strategy states that rowers should look out for high levels of phosphates and nitrates indicating the presence of sewage

James Wallace, chief executive of River Action, said the partnership would be "supporting rowers and communities to pressure polluters and the government to act with urgency".

The GB Rowing Team has already begun testing the waters at the National Training Centre in Caversham, Berkshire.

"The goal is to build on the call for more citizen science testing, leading to action alongside our partners to improve the health of the water on which we row," British Rowing stated.

Rower Imogen Grant (right) said she was "really excited" to support British Rowing's initiatives

Triple World Champion, Olympian and Rivers Trust ambassador Imogen Grant said specific things that affected rowers "reflect the wider problems that are affecting rivers nationwide".

Ms Grant, who is also a qualified doctor, said she was "really excited" and "working towards a long-term goal in small, achievable steps".

British Rowing said it would announce a funding programme in the spring, enabling clubs to test their water, clean up litter and tackle the increasing problem of invasive species.

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