Oxford's rivers are well loved
Back in last October, Oxford City Council submitted an application to give wild swimming spots in Oxford bathing water status.
This would involved the Environment agency regularly testing pollution levels. Oxford City Council would also need to put up signage displaying the quality of the water.
Over 5,000 people signed a petition backing awarding special designation for Fiddlers Island (Port Meadow) and Wolvercote stream. If awarded they would be the 2nd & 3rd sites in England.
Mary Clarkson, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism said:
“Oxford’s rivers are well loved, especially during the summer. “We want to ensure that our rivers are clean and unpolluted in order to help protect the health of Oxford’s swimmers, rowers, and anyone else who wants to enjoy them.”
and Thames Water said......
“Our aim will always be to try and do the right thing for our rivers and for the communities who love and value them,”
Two months after making this comment Thames Water dumped untreated sewage on Christmas Day at Wolvercote, ruining plans for the local wild swimming group to enjoy a swim on Boxing Day.
An email from Thames Water stated on ‘’ongoing sewage release” at Witney.
“If you’re thinking of entering the river, please remember that it can take up to four days for the sewage to clear”
It’s seems however that the sewage release was not restricted to just Boxing Day and continued for the following two weeks. So the question on local minds is which date is it that the sewage will clear?
At the time of writing the application is still pending with DEFRA
