SimplexHealth provide E-Coli Tests for Nick Ferrari and Feargal Sharkey to investigate the state of Britain’s polluted waterways

SimplexHealth was commissioned to carry out laboratory tests for the potentially deadly bacteria E Coli for Nick Ferrari at Breakfast. LBC radio teamed up with Feargal Sharkey to take an unvarnished look at the shocking state of Britain’s rivers.

A lifelong fly-fisher who has become synonymous with the issue of water pollution, Sharkey is probably better known as the lead vocalist of iconic 70s punk band The Undertones. Now, the frontman will be undertaking an entirely different kind of UK tour, as he sets about testing the UK’s best-known rivers for a whole range of bugs, nasties and carcinogens.

Every Friday from 27th Septemebr 2024, LBC travelled with Mr Sharkey to a new location, beginning a stone’s throw away from Conham River Park, a popular wild swimming location on the Bristol stretch of the River Avon. It yielded results which will horrify those thinking about taking a dip any time soon.

To read the full story please click here

Alarmingly, the river failed three of these four tests – breaching the Environment Agency’s (EA’s) standards for E Coli, meaning it unsafe to swim in.

The results for phosphates and nitrates, both key indicators of river pollution, were also concerning. At 0.69 PPM (parts per million), the level of phosphates was more than double the EA’s upper limit.

“This river is completely toxic with phosphate,” Mr Sharkey said upon learning of the result, which could result in conditions that are “highly toxic for humans and lethal for animals” if blue-green algae forms.

Mr Sharkey added: “This is not a clean test for this river. Nitrates, phosphates – this river has been poisoned. Personally speaking, I would not go swimming in there, and I would strongly suggest you don’t want to either.

Which Laboratory Tests have been used to test rivers with LBC Radio?

Bacteria: Coliform/E.coli, Enterococci (Lab Test): This laboratory test includes 2 important bacteria tests: Coliform/E.coli and Enterococci and is ideal to test open water (ie lake, river, pond or sea water).

– Coliform/E.coli Analysis tests for coliform bacteria and Escherichia coli (E.coli) are the most important routine microbiological examinations carried out on water. These tests provide a sensitive means for detecting faecal contamination, for assessing raw water quality, the effectiveness of water treatment and disinfection, and for monitoring the quality of potable water in distribution.

– Enterococci/Streptococci are commonly found in the faeces of human and warm-blooded animals. The presence of enterococci in recreational water is an indicator of faecal pollution and possible enteric pathogens.

Click here for the lake & river laboratory test for Coliform/Ecoli Bacteria and Enterococci.

For our full range of open water tests, click here.

Please contact us if you have a water testing project you would like us to get involved with.

SimplexHealth also work with other charities, action groups, local councils and various businesses analysing rivers, lakes and sea water. This includes testing for presence of sewage, river pollution testing, testing for open water swimming etc. Regular analysis provides detailed data of water quality over time, showing bacteria presence during different seasons. If you have a river or lake testing project you would like us to get involved in, please let us know.