No river in the England is safe to swim in, results of pollution investigation reveals The worrying rise in river pollution coincides with a dramatic increase in the number of ‘wild swimming’ clubs

None of England’s rivers are safe to swim in, the results of a new investigation into Britain’s polluted waterways have revealed.

According to a study published in the Times, 86 per cent of rivers fall short of the EU’s pollution standards and none of them are tested regularly enough to be officially deemed safe for swimmers.

Half of all rivers overseen by the Environment Agency last year reportedly contained at least one hazardous pollutant – including pesticides and toxic metals.

The i newsletter latest news and analysis Email address is invalid Email address is invalid Thank you for subscribing! Sorry, there was a problem with your subscription.

Lack of prosecutions

Regional water companies which manage Britain’s sewage systems have long been blamed for the contamination.

But the number of prosecutions by Environment Agency has dropped dramatically in recent years, with only three cases brought against the water giants last year compared with 30 in 2014.

The agency reportedly even allows the companies to suggest their own penalties, with many of them usually getting away with a contribution to charity.

After the report’s publication, Kerry McCarthy, MP, said: “The Environment Agency needs to step up.”

Ms McCarthy also said the Environment Agency was “treating fines as the cost of doing business, rather than seeing them as a serious deterrent”.

Outdoor swimming clubs

The rising levels of pollution coincides with a sharp increase in the number of ‘wild-swimming’ clubs.

According to the Outdoor Swimming Society, their membership has soared to more than 70,000 having been just a couple of hundred a decade ago.

Swimmers are unaware that rivers across the country contain toxic materials such as lead and mercury, as well as insecticides.

Despite the failings, under current EU rules the government has committed itself to ensuring that all rivers are of a good ecological standard by 2027.

Campaigners, however, have warned that Britain is “not remotely on course” to hit the target.

i has contacted the Environment Agency for comment.