Sickness outbreak prompts concerns River Nidd is not safe for swimming

Parents have expressed concerns about the safety of swimming in the River Nidd after a spate of children falling ill.

There have been widespread reports on social media of young people suffering sickness and diarrhoea since they went in the river to cool down during last week’s heatwave.

Most of those affected had been in the water at Knaresborough.

Environment Agency figures revealed raw sewage was pumped into the Nidd for 16,713 hours last year. Parents say there should be more signs alerting people to danger.

Jennyfields mum Lisa Poole, whose three sons are still unwell 10 days on, said there is a public health risk that needs highlighting. She said:

“My boys went swimming at Conyngham Hall on the Sunday (July 17) and are still not right. They’ve had vomiting and explosive diarrhoea.

“At least 50 people have said on social media that the same thing happened to their families.

“My family won’t ever swim in the river again so what happens now makes no difference to us but we think something should be done to warn other people of the danger.”

River Nidd at Knaresborough

The River Nidd at Knaresborough

Harrogate mum Julie Mills, who was among the first to highlight the issue on social media, agreed.

Her teenage daughter and three friends swam near Conyngham Hall last week. She said:

“My daughter is a real water baby who is used to the river but she and her friends were all ill.

“Nearly everybody we have spoken to who went into the river was ill afterwards. Something’s not right.”

‘Legitimate questions’

David Clayden, honorary secretary of Harrogate Fly Fishers’ Club, said there were legitimate questions about water quality considering the amount of raw sewage being pumped into the Nidd.

He said the problem was exacerbated at times when the water level is low, such as now, when the river needed a good flush.

Read more:

The Stray Ferret asked Yorkshire Water, which treats water on the Nidd, if it was aware of an outbreak of sickness among river swimmers during the heatwave.

A Yorkshire Water spokesperson said:

“The river is a natural environment and contains bacteria from a variety of sources that may cause illness if swallowed.

“We have checked the performance of our equipment in the area and have found no evidence of any discharges from storm overflows or combined sewer overflows in the days before Friday 15th, or since.

“Our wastewater treatment works have continued to treat wastewater and return it to the environment as normal.”

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire County Council, which is responsible for public health, said it wasn’t aware of any issues.

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said it wasn’t aware of any recent pollution incidents on the Nidd but advised people against swimming in rivers unless they were designated bathing areas.

Knaresborough ‘bed race’ protest against raw sewage being dumped into Nidd

A group pushed a bed through Knaresborough this morning to protest against water companies releasing raw sewage into the River Nidd.

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

A section of the Nidd is crossed by competitors in the annual Knaresborough bed race, so Jeremy Scott, who organised today’s protest, wanted to take a bed from Conyngham Hall through the town to raise awareness.

Mike Kaye, who was on the protest, said:

“More people want to swim in rivers and have a good a time so it’s bonkers. The water companies should put investment in so it doesnt need to happen. It’s crazy.”

Stray Ferret research has found that Yorkshire Water released raw and untreated sewage into Harrogate district rivers and becks on 3,800 different occasions last year for a total of 36,000 hours.

Read more:

In October there was anger after MPs, including local Conservative MPs Andrew Jones, Julian Smith and Nigel Adams, voted to reject a Lords amendment to the Environment Bill to stop raw sewage from being pumped into rivers.

In November, MPs then voted in favour of another amendment to the bill that will legally require water firms to make a “progressive reduction” in the amount of sewage it dumps, but campaigners said this doesn’t go far enough.

Mr Kaye wanted to raise awareness about the bill and put pressure on local MPs as well as Yorkshire Water to stop sewage from being released into local rivers.

He said:

“There is far too much sewage in the Nidd and the Wharfe.”

A Yorkshire Water spokesperson said:

“As rainwater can be unpredictable, we have permitted storm overflows on our sewer network to act as a relief valve. They help to reduce the pressure on sewers during heavy rainfall events and stop the system from backing up and flooding homes and gardens by allowing heavily diluted wastewater to be discharged into watercourses.

“This is permitted by the Environment Agency and closely monitored by them and us.”

Wild swimmer says River Nidd pollution levels ‘concerning’

Wild swimming has become more popular in recent years among people who prefer swimming in rivers and lakes than inside buildings.

Knaresborough woman Miranda Newbery is among those who have taken up the sport. She started last year during lockdown and says feeling connected to nature whilst exercising gives a sense of freedom and changed her life.

Ms Newbery currently swims in the River Nidd with friends once or twice a week but says pollution levels have become an increasing concern.

Last summer she introduced her children to wild swimming. They later fell ill and although she cannot be sure it was due to pollution she has since bought them snorkel-like masks to wear.

Swimming with a friend in Ullswater

She said:

“It makes me nervous, of course I couldn’t prove it was because of the water but it gives us all so much pleasure I don’t want to stop the kids doing it.

“The river is key to Knaresborough and used by so many. It is something we should look after with our politicians working to protect it too.”

The state of rivers has been a hot topic since MPs voted last month against an amendment to stop water companies, such as Yorkshire Water, pumping raw sewage into British rivers.

Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough was among those who voted against the amendment. He later said he would support a new amendment to the Environment Bill that would reduce sewage in waterways.

Read more:

Failed pollution tests in Nidd

The Stray Ferret spoke to other local residents last week who echoed Ms Newbery’s views and called for action to reduce pollution in local rivers.

Jacqui Renton, from Knaresborough, who swims in the Nidd as part of her training for a British championships open water swimming competition, said the Nidd had failed water pollution tests and was “a potential health risk”.

Nevertheless the swimmers plan to keep plunging into the Nidd.

Ms Newbery says she’s shared laughter and heartbreak with other wild swimmers over the last year and encourages people to give it a go.

“There is something about the combination of the cold water and being in the beautiful natural surroundings that we are blessed with in Knaresborough that is truly restorative.”

“It’s a mindful practice and sharing that with friends is so special.”

 

River Nidd a ‘potential health risk’ after MPs’ vote on sewage

Residents have said MPs voting against an amendment to stop raw sewage being pumped into rivers have created a “potential health risk” in the River Nidd.

Last week, MPs voted 268 to 204 against the Lords amendment, which means water companies such as Yorkshire Water can continue pumping raw sewage into British rivers.

Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough was among those voting against the amendment.

Last year, every section of the Nidd that runs through the Harrogate district failed water pollution tests due to wastewater contamination – including raw sewage.

The Nidd is used for recreation by families, swimmers and even competitors in Knaresborough Bed Race. Some have expressed disappointment at the MPs’ vote.

Jacqui Renton, from Knaresborough, who swims in the Nidd as part of her training for a British championships open water swimming competition, said:

“Last year the River Nidd failed water pollution tests due to the river being contaminated with wastewater. This included raw sewage, making swimming in it a potential health risk.

“More worryingly, raw sewage being discharged into our rivers of course has a bigger consequence for wildlife, threatening the biodiversity and ecosystem health, which is why urgent action is needed.”

Read more:

A section of the river in Knaresborough is also used by competitors in the annual bed race. Kevin Lloyd, chairman of the bed race committee, urged Yorkshire Water to stop pumping sewage into the river on the day of the event.

However, Mr Lloyd said more action was needed:

“Any initiative that protects the environment is a good thing so I am disappointed at this defeat.

“Yorkshire Water are sympathetic to the event and do what they can but there’s always more that can be done to protect the environment.”

Nidd a ‘huge leisure attraction’

Cllr Hannah Gostlow, a Liberal Democrat who represents Knaresborough Scriven Park on Harrogate Borough Council, also raised concerns as a councillor and local resident.

She said the Nidd was a “huge leisure attraction” used by paddle boarders and young children.

She added:

“The River Nidd is already polluted with wastewater, including with raw sewage, and failed recent pollution tests. The government should be stopping sewage going into our rivers full stop.”

The Stray Ferret contacted Mr Jones about the issue but he declined to reply.

However, he said on his Community News website that he would support a new amendment to the government’s Environment Bill providing a costed plan to reduce sewage in our waterways. He said:

“It would not be sensible to support such a complicated change without having a costed plan. This is what the Lords amendment lacked and why I did not support it.”