Our Results

What did we find?

Coliforms and E. coli.

Bacteria levels are a key indicator of pollution in water. Coliforms represent a diverse range of species some of which may be pathogenic and cause disease. E. coli is a specific and well recognized species. Not all E. coli are pathogenic but some strains are enterotoxigenic causing severe intestinal infections.  Recording these in the river Swale provides a good indication of its safety and of locations where effluent is introduced.

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Average levels of coliform bacteria for the Swale sampling locations are shown below and indicate that all exceed the recommended level for safe bathing water of 1,000 per 100 ml. Samples from Station Bridge and Brompton are particularly high at over 5,000 and 13,000 coliforms per 100 ml respectively.