Thames21

Around 600 million litres of sewage-contaminated water are estimated to enter the River Roding and its tributaries every year via unpermitted and previously unmonitored outfalls, according to a new citizen science study. This is equivalent to around 240 Olympic-sized swimming pools of polluted water.

Only 14.3% of England’s rivers, lakes and coastal waters are in good ecological health, according to new figures released by the Environment Agency. It is clear that the way we manage our water systems must change. Improving the quality and overall health of our waterways is essential. Recent droughts, exacerbated by the climate crisis, have highlighted the urgent need to make our rivers more resilient so they can withstand the growing impacts of climate change.

The Mayor of London’s Clean and Healthy Rivers Plan represents a significant opportunity to restore London’s waterways as thriving natural assets for people and wildlife. For more than 22 years Thames21 has been taking action for healthier rivers across London and the Thames basin. For too long our city’s rivers have been neglected and polluted.

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.

To mark London Rivers Week 2026, Thames21 is launching a photography competition celebrating the vital role that rivers play in the life of our city. The competition aims to highlight the beauty, diversity, and importance of London’s waterways, as well as the people and wildlife that depend on them. We are delighted to be partnering with our friends at London National Park City to deliver this initiative.

Outdoor learning is set to return to the Welsh Harp nature reserve as Brent Council and Thames21 announce the reopening of the dedicated environmental education centre. The much-loved Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre, which for years provided hands-on wildlife and nature activities for local children, closed last summer when its operator Thames21 stepped back due to rising costs.

Environmental charity Thames21 is delighted to announce that we have been accepted to take part in Earth Raise 2026 – the UK’s ‘largest environmental match funding campaign’. From 22nd to 29th April 2026, every donation made to Thames21 will be doubled through match funding provided by generous philanthropists and funders, as part of the Big Give’s Earth Raise campaign.

On January 20, the Government published its Water White Paper, described as a “once-in-a-generation overhaul”. While we welcome the commitment to a stronger regulator and increased oversight, we think that the White Paper does not go far enough to protect and restore our rivers. Thames21 is an environmental charity that works to transform London and the Thames Basin into a healthier, more climate-resilient region with rivers that everyone can enjoy.