Liz Gyekye

Recent figures published in The Times have shown that Thames Water was responsible for almost a third of the water sector’s most harmful pollution incidents in 2025. A Thames21 spokesman said: “The scale of serious pollution incidents linked to Thames Water is deeply concerning. Preventing sewage pollution at source must be a priority, and water companies need to invest far more urgently in the infrastructure required to protect river health.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced 13 new bathing water sites across England, including stretches of the River Thames at Ham and Kingston, and at Pangbourne Meadow in Berkshire. Congratulations to community group Teddington Bluetits, Simon Griffiths of Outdoor Swimming Magazine, and local resident Rebecca Mole for their dedication and persistence in getting the London bathing water site proposal for Ham and Kingston over the line.

Londoners are being encouraged to reconnect with their local rivers as part of this year’s London Rivers Week 2026, marking a decade of connecting people with the capital’s waterways. Running from Saturday 23rd May to Sunday 31st May, the festival, which main theme is “know your local river”, celebrates its 10th anniversary with a wide-ranging programme of free events designed to help people discover, enjoy and care for the rivers on their doorstep.