River Nidd bathing water bid to be sent next month

An application for the River Nidd in Knaresborough to be designated bathing water status is to be submitted to the government next month.

If successful, the move would oblige organisations such as the Environment Agency to take action to clean the Nidd, amid concerns about high sewage levels and bathers falling ill at Knaresborough Lido.

Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservative MP Andrew Jones will submit the application after overseeing a survey of how many people use the Lido during the bathing water season from May 15 to September 30.

Mr Jones said the deadline for sending the application to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs was the end of October. He added:

“Once submitted, there begins a long process in which Defra consult with many key stakeholders including Yorkshire Water and the Environment Agency.

“Whilst we can’t be sure when the result will be known, applications that were submitted last year found out around March of this year.”

He said further surveys at the Lido were unlikely due to the colder weather, adding:

“The numbers we received from the surveys were excellent, and were nicely capped with that final burst of good weather a couple of weeks ago which saw hundreds of people swimming in the River Nidd at the Lido.”

The surveying was hampered a change in guidance in early July, but Mr Jones said “we have a committed team of volunteers which enabled us to adjust our plan quickly and fulfil the new criteria”.

Water sampling continues

Last month’s sampling in Bilton.

Nidd Action Group, which consists of anglers, academics, conservationists and volunteers has undertaken water sampling along the Nidd as part of the clean-up campaign.

The first round of sampling took place last month and a second round is required.

David Clayden, chairman of the group, said:

“We have identified four possible dates, but they are dependent on getting four days with no rain prior to the sampling day – so the first two, September 25 or 27, are no good.

“We are now aiming for either October 4 or 5 – again dependent on prior weather forecasts.”

Knaresborough Lib Dems send message to MP

Knaresborough Town Council gave its backing to the bathing water application this week — but the Liberal Democrat-controlled council added clauses urging the government to do more to protect rivers.

Cllr Kathryn Davies, a Conservative elected in Aspin and Calcutt who took part in the Lido survey, proposed a motion calling for the council to support the application.

It said the Nidd at the Lido was an important resource for the people of Knaresborough and improving water quality “would have significant benefits for the environment, public health, recreation and the local economy”.

But David Goode, a Liberal Democrat who represents Castle ward, said the motion “looked like a concerted effort by the Tory party to deflect attention” from allowing water companies to dump sewage in the river.

He proposed additional clauses, which included writing to Mr Jones requesting he “votes against any legislation that weakens planning and environmental policy” and “supports the call for water companies to be turned into public benefit companies with the aim of reducing leaks and sewage dumping, as well as limiting returns to shareholders”.

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Open day in Pateley Bridge gives people chance to learn about local rivers

The Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust is hosting an open day in Pateley Bridge this weekend to give local people an insight into its work.

The environmental charity protects local rivers, including the Swale, Ure, Nidd, Wharfe and Ouse, by carrying out educational projects and engaging with communities.

The open day will tell people about its work in areas such as water sampling, flood management and controlling non-native species, as well as highlighting the importance of healthy river environments.

A representative of Nidd Action Group, which is campaigning to clean-up the Nidd, will be among a number of guest speakers.

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There will also be two guided walks along the Nidd, a lunch time poster session and a session in the Rivers4U mobile classroom where people can enjoy learn about the river and life within it further.

Soup, coffee and cake will be on offer during the lunch session.

Dr Marie Taylor, chief executive of the trust, said:

“People are now far more aware of the quality of Yorkshire’s rivers and yet many are probably less aware of the extent of the trust’s endeavours and our partnership achievements in monitoring and improving our waterways.

“The open day is a great opportunity to explore the breadth of our work, learn about what we have delivered with others, and discover how to support these activities.”

The event will take place on Saturday, September 16, from 11am – 3.30pm.

It will be held at the Riverside Scout Hut in Pateley Bridge and is free to attend.

River Nidd sampling reveals high levels of faecal bacteria

A major water sampling operation along the length of the River Nidd has revealed high levels of the faecal bacteria E.coli.

Dozens of volunteers tested water quality at 45 locations on August 3 as part of an ongoing clean-up campaign.

Analysis of the results has now revealed high levels of E.coli, which can cause illnesses such as vomiting and diarrhoea, along the Nidd and “extremely high levels” at some points — especially the beck tributaries.

Volunteers conduct sampling at Oak Beck this month.

A second round of water sampling is due to take place next month before a formal bid is submitted to the government to designate bathing water status on the Nidd.

If accepted, agencies will be obliged to undertake measures to clean the Nidd, as has happened on the River Wharfe in Ilkley.

David Clayden, chairman of Nidd Action Group, which is coordinating the sampling, said:

“The results so far indicate high levels of E.coli, particularly down river. Specific locations, including some of our becks, show especially high values whose origins we need to understand better through discussions with the organisations charged with keeping our River Nidd clean.

“I’m not surprised by the findings as this is a uniquely comprehensive, citizen science led activity, aimed at exposing the true levels of pollution in the Nidd, and through rational analysis getting them improved.”

River Nidd water sampling

Volunteers involved in the project to test Nidd water quality.

Knaresborough bathing levels

The results showed in the upper catchment, down to Birstwith, the concentrations of E. coli were much lower than in the middle and lower catchment.

E.Coli concentrations rose below Killinghall sewage treatment works and stayed high, with the most extreme value at Nidd viaduct, below the confluence of Oak Beck and the River Nidd.

Knaresborough sampling locations had concentrations well above the levels deemed sufficient for inland bathing water. Reports of bathers around Knaresborough Lido falling ill played a major role in prompting the campaign.

The tributaries in the middle and lower Nidd catchment all had particularly high concentrations of E.coli – Ripley Beck, Oak Beck and Crimple Beck. Bilton Beck was extremely high.

Mr Clayden said besides next month’s second round of testing, “many more local actions” were being planned to provide improved information to help look after our river. He added:

“During the survey I was heartened to meet many wonderful local people, volunteering their precious free time to understand and benefit their local river.”

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Volunteers begin testing River Nidd water quality

Volunteers lined the banks of the River Nidd and its tributaries this week to test water quality as part of a major clean-up campaign.

Nidd Action Group coordinated the activity as part of a bid to achieve bathing water status, which would require organisations to take measures to improve water quality.

It follows concerns about the state of the river and reports of bathers falling ill at Knaresborough Lido.

Nidd Action Group includes conservationists, anglers, academics and residents. Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones is also supporting the initiative by gathering data on the number of people using the river at the Lido.

On Thursday afternoon, 40 volunteers dipped test kits into the Nidd at various points from the upper reaches at Scar House, north of Pateley Bridge, right down to Moor Monkton, close to where the Nidd joins the River Ouse.

River Nidd water sampling

Volunteers learning to take samples last month.

A second round of sampling will take place late next month before a bid for bathing water status is submitted to the government.

David Clayden, chairman of  Nidd Action Group, said this week’s sampling appeared to go well.

He added:

“The weather was kind to us, unlike the previous very wet day. The river was running quite high, but I’ve had no reports of any incidents.

“All the samples in their sterilised bottles have been assembled, along with the documentation and the data collected at the river.

“Samples are being analysed in the accredited laboratory in Lichfield, and further samples will be sent to another laboratory on Monday  for less urgent analysis.

A second round of sampling will take place late next month in the same locations but in different weather and river conditions.

Bilton Conservation Group volunteers sampling at Oak Beck on Thursday.

Shirley Hare and Warren Considine with a sample from Oak Beck.

Mr Clayden said the results would then be shared and “we will identify any inferences that can be drawn, and discuss any actions, beneficial to the river, that might be taken”.

Sampling took place ar Scar House Reservoir, Lofthouse, How Stean Gorge, Low Sikes, Ramsgill, Wath, Pateley Bridge, Glasshouses, Summerbridge, Birstwith, Crag Hill Farm, Ripley Beck, Killinghall, along Oak beck in Bilton, Nidd Viaduct, Knaresborough, Crimple Beck, Little Ribston, Hunsingore and Moor Monkton

Mr Clayden commended the volunteers for their commitment and thanked Yorkshire Dales River Trust, a charity based in Pateley Bridge. for assembling the sampling kits and the Environment Agency staff who also undertook sampling.

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Council backs bid for River Nidd bathing water status

North Yorkshire Council has backed a proposal to designate bathing water status to the River Nidd.

The motion was brought by Cllr Paul Haslam, who represents Bilton and Nidd Gorge, which called on the authority to support the campaign.

If designation is successful, government agencies would be obliged to take action to improve water quality at Knaresborough Lido. This would also improve water quality on a much wider stretch of the river.

The campaign comes after reports of numerous bathers falling ill last summer.

Cllr Haslam said:

“Knaresborough and the Nidd are one of the many jewels that North Yorkshire is blessed with.

“Knaresborough relies on the river to contribute to the local economy and wellbeing of the population in the form of riverside cafes, recreation on the river with regular bathing at the Lido.”

He added:

“It’s important that people can swim and enjoy the river without risks to their health.”

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Councillors voted to support the proposal at a meeting in Northallerton yesterday.

Nidd Action Group and Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, are leading the campaign.

Following the vote, Mr Jones said he welcomed the support from the council.

He said:

“I am grateful to North Yorkshire councillors for backing this campaign. Bids to designate areas as official bathing water are substantially strengthened by having the support of the local authority.

“I know some seek to make party political points about this issue. I hope that this overwhelming cross-party support brings an end to this.  Positive action is what is needed and I am working with local residents, businesses, community organisations and the Nidd Action Group on the bid.

“Success is never a guarantee but I am optimistic and this support from North Yorkshire Council is an important milestone.”

Volunteers turn out in force to support campaign for cleaner River Nidd

Conservationists, anglers, academics and residents turned out in force at Knaresborough yesterday to prepare to begin water sampling on the River Nidd.

Samples will be taken along the length of the river on August 3 and then again the following month.

The results will form part of a bid to achieve bathing water status on the Nidd, which would require agencies to take measures to improve water quality.

Yesterday’s gathering near Conyngham Hall enabled volunteers to learn how to conduct accurate sampling.

It follows concerns about the state of the river, amid reports of bathers at Knaresborough Lido falling ill after entering the water.

Test kits were supplied by Yorkshire Dales River Trust, a charity based in Pateley Bridge that helped gather data for the River Wharfe’s successful bid for bathing water status.

Charlotte Simons, a senior project manager at the trust, said the volunteers would test for nutrients, such as nitrates and phosphates, as well as bacteria, such as E coli. She added:

“By testing along the whole river we can get a snapshot of what’s happening.”

Charlotte Simons and David Clayden hold a test kit above the River Nidd.

David Clayden, chairman of  Nidd Action Group, which was set up to co-ordinate the clean-up campaign, said:

“We’ve had a really good response from volunteers. The real thing starts on August 3, when everyone involved will be apportioned a place on the river to carry out sampling.”

Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, is also supporting the campaign.

He is co-ordinating efforts to monitor how much the river is used at the Lido.

A bid for bathing water status is expected to be submitted to the government in autumn.

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Yorkshire Water discharged sewage into the River Nidd 870 times last year, according to Environment Agency monitoring data.

The discharges lasted for a total of 6,177 hours. Dacre sewage pumping station alone saw 87 spills and 1,014 hours of sewage discharged.

By comparison, there were 318 spills into Oak Beck and Coppice Beck, which lasted for 438 hours.

Water companies are legally allowed to release sewage through overflow pipes when the sewage system becomes too full, which can happen during increased rainfall.

 

Volunteers learn to test for E coli in River Nidd

Dozens of volunteers will be heading to the River Nidd today as part of a project to find out how much E coli bacteria is in the water.

Around 40 people will be gathering near Conyngham Hall in Knaresborough to learn how to take valid samples from the Nidd – from the bankside and from bridges over the river.

The volunteers will then turn out again in force on August 3 to put their training into action and take samples from all stretches of the river from Scar House Reservoir at the top end of Nidderdale right down to Moor Monkton, where the Nidd joins the Ouse in the Vale of York. 

They will repeat the process at the end of September, in an initiative that forms the centrepiece of an iNidd project organised by the Nidd Action Group (NAG).

All the water samples will be sent for laboratory testing to find out how polluted they are, both with faecal and chemical inflows.  

David Clayden, chairman of NAG, said:

“We want to find the truth. I don’t think people know enough about the river. This whole project is about understanding the chemical and biological profile of the river, including the tributaries, specifically Oak Beck, Crimple Beck and possibly also Ripley Beck.  

“It will give us data from all up and down the river, all taken on the same day, under the same conditions, which has never been done here before. A lot of preparatory work has gone into this and it’s all coming together very well. It’s very exciting.” 

The samples will enable NAG to establish the concentration of faecal coliforms – or E coli – associated with human and pet health, nutrient chemicals such as phosphates and nitrates, and concentrations of heavy metals – all associated with the ecological balance of the river and the richness and variety of invertebrate and plant life. 

Mr Clayden said: 

“If a water sample is good, that’s great. But if it’s bad, we want to know what’s upstream of it – a sewage outlet, a farm, or a caravan park perhaps? We need to gauge the relative importance of different pollution sources.” 

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NAG hopes to be able to publish the results of the lab tests in the autumn, around the same time that Andrew Jones MP is due to submit the case for River Nidd bathing water status for consideration by Defra (the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs). 

NAG is also working with the Environment Agency on an “outfall safari”, which involves walking along the river bank and spotting unmapped pipes and other sources of pollution. 

Mr Clayden said: 

“You’d think they would know where they all are, but they don’t. A lot of these pipes have just been wrongly connected, either intentionally or by accident, and they may come from any private property along the river bank. 

“So we need volunteers to spot them and report on how much pollution they’re causing. It involves investigative, observational work, and some training may be given by the Environment Agency.” 

NAG was formed in September 2022 after concerns about the quality of the water in the Nidd were raised by anglers and others. It now has 100 volunteers. 

Mr Clayden said: 

“It’s a nice community, and one thing they all have in common is that they all love the river.” 

Anyone wanting to join them and get involved with research on the River Nidd should use the Get Involved page on the NAG website. 

Bed race entrants urged to ‘keep your head above water’ when crossing polluted Nidd

Great Knaresborough Bed Race competitors crossing the polluted River Nidd this weekend have been urged by organisers to keep their heads above the water.

Last week a young child was reported to have been taken to hospital with an E. coli infection after playing in the river at Knaresborough. 

It came after a report by Professor Peter Hammond, a retired professor of computational biology, last month revealed the equivalent of 317 Olympic pools of raw sewage were discharged into the river at four sewage treatment works in 2020. 

Nidd Action Group and Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones are campaigning for a stretch of the Nidd at Knaresborough Lido to be granted bathing water status, to ensure the river is cleaned up. 

Saturday’s bed race will see hundreds of competitors crossing the river as part of the course.

Bed Race chairman Martin Brock, of Knaresborough Lions, said: 

“It goes without saying that we wish the youngster a speedy recovery from their infection. We know for our teams and the crowds that the river crossing is an integral part of bed race and one that they look forward to every year. The teams recognise when signing up for the event that they are participating at their own risk.  

“We will flag at the team briefing about the Nidd, although it is local knowledge that the water isn’t perfect, and that when crossing, you keep your head above water.” 

Safety measures

Last year, the Nidd saw 870 sewage dump incidents, according to Environment Agency figures, and recent water testing by researchers from the University of Leeds has shown the harmful bacteria E. coli is at unusually high levels. 

E. coli is a bacterial infection that can cause severe stomach pain, bloody diarrhoea and even kidney failure. It is found in the gut and faeces of many animals, particularly cattle. Its presence at such high levels in the River Nidd is thought to be caused by either sewage dumps or by run-off from livestock farmland – or both. 

Mr Brock added: 

“Ultimately, no one is forced to go through the river and we do implement safety measures if teams choose to cross including limiting the number of beds in the river and having divers from the Upper Wharfdale Fell Rescue Association in the Nidd.

“The final decision to cross the river is taken on the morning of the race and if advice is given that it is unsafe, we would cancel the crossing. However, as things stand, with the recent spate of fine weather and a low river level, we are planning for the traditional river crossing on Saturday 10th.”

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Harrogate and District Green Party said today the bed race was “an incredible event… being put at risk by Yorkshire Water’s cavalier approach to their sewage problem”.

It accused the government, supported by local MP Mr Jones of “putting profits before people”.

Mr Jones replied by saying recent data showed E. coli levels had drastically dropped and urged the Greens to join the Nidd clean-up campaign. He added:

“Politicians laying blame at one another’s door for a situation that has existed ever since the Victorians built our sewerage system is not constructive.”

The annual bed race was first held in 1966, and sees 90 teams of seven complete a 2.4-mile course around the town. This year’s theme for the pre-race fancy-dress parade is “That’s Entertainment”.

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317 Olympic pools of raw sewage pumped into River Nidd, study claims

The equivalent of 317 Olympic pools of raw sewage were discharged into the River Nidd at four sewage treatment works in 2020, according to a study.

The sewage was released into the river at Pateley Bridge, Harrogate, Darley and Kirk Hammerton.

Professor Peter Hammond, a mathematician who analyses data on sewage discharges, conducted the research, according to an article in the Guardian.

It says Prof Hammond studied four of seven sewage treatment works on the Nidd so the amount of raw sewage pumped into the river could be significantly higher.

The study aimed to reveal the volume of discharged effluent released from storm overflows by water firms.

Water companies are currently required to reveal the number of discharges and how long they lasted — not the actual volume of raw sewage discharged.

Prof Hammond studied 30 treatment works in 2020 run by nine of England and Wales’ 10 water companies in England and Wales to calculate the volume of raw sewage discharged.

Four of those were on the Nidd, which is currently the subject of a clean-up campaign following reports of bathers falling ill last summer.

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones and the Nidd Action Group are leading the campaign to achieve designated bathing water status at Knaresborough Lido, which would oblige agencies to take action.

David Clayden, secretary of Harrogate Flyfishers’ Club and a member of the Nidd Action Group, told the Guardian he saw no reason water companies could not reveal the volume of raw sewage being discharged into rivers.

He said.

“It is extraordinary to see estimates of the volume being discharged. I am very disappointed that the government did not follow the recommendations of the environmental audit committee and make water companies fit volume monitors.”

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Andrew Jones MP appeals for help at ‘critical time’ for River Nidd bathing water bid

Conservative MP Andrew Jones has issued a plea for volunteers to help in the campaign to achieve bathing water status on the River Nidd.

Mr Jones plans to submit an application for bathing water status at Knaresborough Lido after reports of numerous bathers falling ill last summer.

If successful, it would oblige government agencies to take action to improve water quality.

In a three-minute video on his Community News website, the Harrogate and Knaresborough MP blamed the Victorian-era sewage system, run-off from agricultural land and drainage from housing estates for polluting the Nidd.

He asked for volunteers to help with the campaign. He said:

“May this year is a critical time as it marks the start of the bathing season when evidence must be collected for the bathing water application that I’m leading.

“This campaign is building momentum but we can’t let it slide. That’s why I’m calling out to anyone who is passionate about our environment or who uses the River Nidd to come forward and help with the volunteer work.”

Mr Jones said data would be collected over summer and urged anyone interested in helping to get in touch.

He said he would be working alongside Nidd Action Group between now and September to apply for bathing water designation.

Steve Kirkley, from Blenkhorns Boats

Steve Kirkley, from Blenkhorn’s Boats

Steve Kirkley, from Blenkhorn’s Boats, which operates boat hire on the Nidd, told the video improved water quality would “lead to more enjoyable surroundings” while David Clayden, secretary of Harrogate Fly Fishers’ Club, said it would create “a better environment for the river”.

Nicola Shaw, chief executive of Yorkshire Water, said it was important to work in partnership to improve water quality.

‘Nidd plagued by foul sewage’

This week Tom Gordon, the Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate for Harrogate and Knaresborough, accused Conservative MPs of “blocking new tough measures on water companies” to tackle sewage discharge.

Mr Gordon said the Sewage Discharge Bill would have introduced automatic fines on water companies breaking their sewage dumping permits but Conservative MPs voted to block it.

Mr Gordon, said:

“The Nidd has been plagued by foul sewage discharges. People across Harrogate and Knaresborough are furious about this, yet the Conservative government keeps blocking new laws to get tough on water companies.”

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