Each month BedsGOVET has been telling you more about the work we are doing to save the River Great Ouse, our beautiful river that is slowly dying due to aggressive contaminants and sewage spillages.
Now in our third year of testing the levels of pollution in the Great River Ouse through Bedfordshire, we regularly monitor 13 sites along the river from Turvey to Great Barford.
This includes undertaking specific testing in three sites where leisure activities, including wild swimming, take place at Bedford Embankment, Felmersham and Great Barford.
We have also placed two sensitive water monitoring devices called sondes in a specific area of the river where we have regularly recorded high levels of e coli contamination.
Our testing programme is now recognised by the Environment Agency (EA), and we are working towards full “Tier 2” status.
This means that our work provides actionable evidence, whereby by the EA can use our data to determine compliance, take enforcement actions, and ensure that environmental regulations are effective.
It is what we have been working towards for the past three years to ensure that our findings are used to ensure those who are polluting our river take responsibility and action to stop.
E.Coli
Sadly, we are regularly recording levels of e E.coli contamination that are many times above the DEFRA safe bathing limits of 900 Colony Forming Units (CFUs) per 100 millilitres (mls).
Our most recent UKAS-accredited laboratory results showed levels of over 5000 CFU’s but during extreme weather (3) conditions, contamination of over 20,000 CFUs has been recorded – over 20 times above safe bathing limits!
So, what does this mean to you? The effects of E coli in humans can be extremely harmful. It can cause fever, intestinal bleeding and seizures it can also lead to acute kidney failure, particularly in children.
And for your pets? It can affect dogs of any age and can lead to blood poisoning, or septicaemia, and has been found to compound with parvovirus in dogs and puppies, leading to an increased risk of death by parvovirus.
During 2024, the two main sewage plants covering the Bedford area, Odell and Priory, discharged 4288 hours of untreated sewage into the Great Ouse – the equivalent of six months of continuous discharging!
Ammonium
Our detailed testing from the sondes shows highly concerning levels of ammonium contamination.
This can lead to increased algal growth, which overtake the river system and decrease the oxygen levels in the river, resulting in the destruction of the natural aquatic life, such as fish, newts, and other meaningful plant life.
We are monitoring this on a 24/7 basis, in alignment with the manufacturer’s laboratory. Our results can be requested from our website bedsgovet.org.
Our actions
Our test findings identify that the contamination emanates from the main sewage plant, as we have located a sonde securely above and below the combined sewage overflow.
The output shows that the difference between upstream and downstream readings is huge.
We have approached Bedford Borough Council and the mayor’s office and provided the test results to ask for their assistance in getting the contamination stopped. As yet, we are waiting for a response to the information.
Working with the EA, we have also informed Anglian Water, but they are adamant that the ammonium discharging does not come from their plant.
We have agreed to meet them to discuss other sources if not from the storm overflow.
We have also met with Paul Hutchinson from Bedford Independent to see how they can follow up on the information we have provided to the local authorities and to help raise awareness of the dangers of the river to local people.
If you would like to get involved in our charity, please do contact us. We are always looking to welcome new people who can help us save our beautiful river.
By Inga Wells. Executive MBA, PG Dip DMS
The Bedford Independent is proud to support BedsGOVET in their
vital work to monitor water quality in the River Great Ouse
and provide them with space for a column as
part of their Don’t Lose the Ouse campaign.
