Daily bacteria testing to take place at south Shropshire river bathing spot rated 'poor' for water quality

In May last year, a stretch of the River Teme in Ludlow was given bathing water status by the government along with two other Shropshire spots.

It meant the area at The Linney is now tested weekly throughout the bathing season (May to September) by the Environment Agency (EA) to check it meets the standards for clean water.

Water is tested for two types of bacteria, E. coli and intestinal enterococci, and categorised as ‘excellent’, ‘good’, ‘sufficient’ or ‘poor’ based on bacteria levels.

The Environment Agency's most recent classification of the bathing water at the Ludlow bathing spot is 'poor', based on samples taken from 2024.

Those samples included three particularly high readings of intestinal enterococci in June, July and September, and high readings of E. coli in June and September.

Now, the spot will be part of £25,000 trial that will see the EA take remote readings daily, instead of manually checking the river once a week. The government agency said it was the first of its kind in the UK.

It comes after the EA applied to the 'River Severn Partnership Advanced Wireless Innovation Region' (RSPAWIR) for funding to lease new sensors. 

The RSPAWIR is a £3.75m initiative, wholly funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and managed by Shropshire Council on behalf of the River Severn Partnership.

The sensors will also build in rainfall data and other scientific measurements to assist in understanding its effects on increased bacteria levels.

Matt Smith, RSPAWIR programme manager, said the project was "very welcome" and would have "a multitude of environmental and social benefits"

He said: “Scientifically it will help build a better picture of the levels and types of bacteria in the watercourse, their potential sources, how they are affected by the environment and how they affect the ecology. Socially it will be much better for people who enjoy cold water swimming to be able to choose the safest times and places to participate.”

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: “The taking of sustained, daily, pre-programmed bacteriological river samples is a first in the UK. Used in combination with rainfall, river flow data and continuous water chemistry data, this project will provide a unique insight for recreational river users at the Ludlow bathing site to better evaluate personal river use. 

"It will also allow us to better understand and identify the sources of pollution and inform our ability to influence and improve the health of the river.”

Ian Nellins, Shropshire Council deputy leader and cabinet member for the environment and transport, added: “As the popularity of wild swimming grows this is a very welcome trial and will help people make informed decisions about where and when the enjoy the water. 

"It is an excellent example of using technology to support data gathering which can then be used to influence wider decision making.”