Wetherby and Villages Clean River group was pleased to attend a meeting convened by Leeds City Council regarding the implications of achieving Bathing Water status for the river Wharfe in Wetherby.
Ward Councillors including Norma Harrington and Alan Lamb who have been working on this issue for the last few years attended. Claire Campbell from the Environment Agency gave an update as to the action and sampling which the Environment Agency undertake as a result of bathing water status. This sampling is done weekly from May 1 to September 30.
In November, a classification of the quality of the river water will be made, from excellent to poor. Do not be surprised if the quality is not as we would wish.
This classification will remain until the following year when it will be reviewed as a result of further weekly testing during the next bathing water season from May 1 to September 30.
WVCRG reported to the group of the work being done on the ongoing additional sampling project in which they are involved. All designated bathing water sites across the UK were invited to participate in a project with York University, Surfers against Sewage and Watershed Investigations. This project involved daily sampling of the river Wharfe at Wetherby to enable broader analysis of the pollutants in the river. These results will be shared as we receive them in the next few weeks.
WVCRG will continue to work to push for improvement in the quality of the river Wharfe for all its users and inhabitants. Achieving the water status has raised the profile of water quality, with Leeds City Council and they now engage positively on this issue. Signage will be available regarding the water quality not only on the bathing site but possibly elsewhere.
Residents are encouraged to report any pollution incidents which they see on the river Wharfe via the incident Hot Line for the EA. The number is 0800 807060.
