Pollution of the River Thames has been and remains one of the biggest and most discussed problems for London and its ecosystem and today I will talk about pollution of the Thames and advises in oder to reduce it.
According to a study by Oxford University, groups such as Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) and Water Testing River Thames (WTRT), levels of bacteria such as E.coli have been found to be four to five times higher than safe levels at waste water disposal sites.
This increase the risk of illness for people involved in water sports such as swimming and rowing.
Scientists argue that ignorance of London citizens, as well as tourists causes most of the pollution, as large plastic objects such as bottles, bags and packaging break down over time into smaller particles through exposure to sun turning into microplastics.
”The Independent” stated that 94,000 microplastics enter the Thames every day, which affects the river’s ecosystem on a daily basis.
However others argue that runoff from roads, roads, cosmetics and household chemicals, which resulted in a nitrate level increase by 15% in the past five years (commented by ZSL, who campaign about pollution of Thames), are the biggest causes of pollution.
What is more, Steve Reed (Labour MP) said: “The water bosses will face criminal charges if they continue to allow the illegal dumping of record levels of sewage into our rivers.
”This shows that the government, particularly Labour, is committed to holding corporations and their leaders responsible for environmental harm, particularly the illegal discharge of sewage into rivers.
Despite current problems, the situation has improved considerably since the 19th century, when Thames was heavily polluted which led to health crises and it was considered “dead”.
Nowadays the river supports around 125 species of fish and in 2022 3,000 seals were recorded in the Thames, indicating partial recovery of the ecosystem.
The project of Thames Tideway Tunnel is designed to prevent untreated waste from entering the river during heavy rainfall and aims to reduce the amount of sewage that gets into the Thames by 95%.
Here are some advises to reduce pollution even more, citizens should avoid single-use plastics, participate in volunteer programs to clean up riverbanks, dispose waste-do not pour oils, fats, and chemicals down the drain and buy clothing and household chemicals from companies that follow eco-friendly packaging principles.
All of these minor steps can lead to overall success. As a tourist visiting London, I noticed how pollution management efforts contribute to the city's overall cleanliness and charm, so these actions may seem small on an individual level, but their cumulative effect can be significant.
When communities commit to such sustainable habits, it not only reduces pollution but also fosters a culture of environmental responsibility and long-term sustainability.
