There is a wide range of potential pollution sources in the UK that can impact water quality including:
The RYA’s current focus is on the first issue, given the direct human health implications and our ability to influence changes in policy to counter the problem.
Live water quality testing is already available for a range of chemical indicators. However, measuring faecal coliforms and other bacteria hazardous to human health usually requires culturing in a laboratory over 2-3 days. Simple bacterial counts will not indicate the specific species and its impact on human health.
There is now a testing kit available from a company called Fluidion that can produce rapid results. If contamination is high then results are within an hour, if levels are lower it can take up to 12 hours. The RYA is working with our colleagues in the Clean Water Sports Alliance to better understand how clubs could use such devices.
Many references to live reporting of water quality are really referring to data on sewage outfall activity.
Background risk
Natural and man-made water bodies will always have a low-level background risk simply because they are untreated and may be contaminated through natural or human processes.
Low general risk
The general risk to any individual remains low, but events such as sewage discharges or excess nutrient loads can increase risk.
Varying susceptibility to pathogens
Different groups of people are more or less susceptible to any give pathogen. Those who regularly use the water are likely less susceptible than, say, young children who are on the water for the first time.
Activity-related risk levels
Different activities carry different risk levels. An open meeting with experienced sailors in benign weather holds far lower risk of illness than repeated capsize drills with trainees following a storm.
Decisions based on judgement and local knowledge
There is no simple way to decide whether the water you are sailing on or swimming in is safe on any given day. Decisions as to what activities should take place are inevitably based on the judgement of the organisers, which in turn is based on local knowledge.
Collect data
Long-run data will help you to understand your local water body and how it reacts to weather and pollution incidents.
Know your waters
You should include in your risk assessment your knowledge of:
Apply appropriate hygiene precautions
It may seem obvious but communicating with members about good hygiene is important to minimise the risk of people falling ill.
All water users should thoroughly wash their hands after being on the water before eating. Providing suitable washdown facilities for boats and equipment will help minimise transfer of pathogens as well as preventing the spread of invasive species.
Report
Current bathing water quality, if you are sailing in such an area, is available via:
A wider view of river and bathing quality is available via a service from Watershed.
Labs offering water quality testing at an affordable rate (it takes 3-4 days for the result).
Fluidion rapid testing equipment (this is their hand-held option, there are more comprehensive systems available).
Clean Water Sports Alliance campaign.
Surfers Against Sewage End Sewage Pollution Manifesto.