Boat Race water quality 'an ongoing concern'

Oxford were critical of the sewage levels in the River Thames in 2024

Boat Race organisers say water quality is an "ongoing concern" before Sunday's race following claims the River Thames fails basic safety standards.

Environmental charity River Action says results from water-quality testing show levels of E. coli bacteria almost three times above the Environment Agency's threshold for "poor" bathing waters.

University of Oxford rowers criticised sewage levels in the Thames after losing last year's men's race.

Three members of the team suffered stomach bugs before the race, although they cannot be certain it was caused by pollution.

"The Mayor of London's vision for clean and healthy rivers is simply a pipe dream without systematic reform of the water industry and its regulators," said River Action's Erica Popplewell.

"Right now, if the stretch of the Thames used for the Boat Race were an official bathing site it would be graded poor, the lowest possible rating. The government's own advice for such water is 'do not swim'. So, we strongly suggest that the winning team on Sunday think twice before throwing their cox in the Thames."

Organisers have encouraged rowers from Oxford and Cambridge to follow British Rowing poor water quality guidance, including not entering the water, covering any blisters and wearing footwear when getting in and out of the boat.

"Clearly the water quality testing carried out along the River Thames shows there is more work to be done to get our waterways where we all want them to be," the Boat Race Company said.

It said it was hopeful the Tideway Tunnel, a deep-level sewer that became operational this year, will have a "transformative effect" on water quality.

Thames Water has been approached by BBC Sport for comment.

Last month it said £1.8bn would be committed to improve river health in London.

It said the Tideway Tunnel and associated upgrades would capture 95% of the untreated sewage currently entering the tidal Thames in a typical year.

British five-time Olympic rowing champion Sir Steve Redgrave said: "It's a real worry that in 2025 unsafe water quality in the Thames is still a concern.

"Rowers, river users and the public deserve better."

Last month Redgrave wrote to Environment Secretary Steve Reed calling for more action to combat river pollution.

Oxford rower James Doran told the BBC he and his team-mates have become used to taking precautionary measures to avoid becoming unwell after training on the river.

"It is a concern and I'd say it has definitely got worse over my time here," said Doran.

"We're all concerned about it. We're meticulous in washing our hands, showering straight away, cleaning all of our equipment."

The men's and women's races take place on Sunday, with live coverage on BBC One from 12:20 BST.