What our testing can and can’t tell you
What E. coli results show about the river, what they don’t, and where to check before you go in.
People often ask us what our results mean for using the river. Our data shows bacterial levels: measuring E. coli gives an insight into faecal pollution, which can come from sewage treatment works, farm runoff, leaking septic tanks and pipes, and animal waste.
Many other pollutants are not detected by our routine tests, including heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants, pharmaceuticals and microplastics.
Our monitoring can show patterns and hotspots of faecal contamination, which helps hold polluters to account and get problems fixed. It cannot tell you whether the river is safe to use at a given moment. Conditions can change quickly, and without testing for a wider range of pollutants we cannot give a full picture of water safety.
If you are thinking of going in the river on a particular day, these sources can help you make an informed decision. Think too about the conditions that day, your confidence in the water, and whether you have any cuts or open wounds.
Where to check
- South West Water’s WaterFit Live storm overflow map: which storm overflows are spilling now or have spilled in the last 24 hours, and when each was last active and for how long.
- Environment Agency bathing water profiles: the classification of each designated bathing water and its latest sample results, including E. coli and intestinal enterococci.
