We swam at London’s first officially designated bathing area on the Thames, between Kingston and Ham.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/kkCE24xrdXc1VvUZ7
It was straight after our Saturday morning Kingston parkrun, which finishes very near the get in, and when, coincidentally, the water was being tested.
The Environment Agency lady told us she had to wait until 10am to test and that the water temperature was a very pleasant 24 degrees – warmer than many public swimming pools.
While the quality testing wouldn’t be available for a day, the historic test results are online.
After a spike in nasties in June (perhaps coinciding with a release of ground water from the sewers after heavy rain) the water quality has been fine for swimming since.
With the water being so still, and doing a version of the breast stroke, I was able to successfully avoid anything but a few splashes getting onto my face and mouth. Whatever the reassurances, I wouldn’t recommend ingesting too much Thames water.
I got told off by someone sitting on a bench on the island opposite, Trowlock Island, for attempting to get out there and declare a victorious crossing – apparently they were on alert after a recent boat theft.
If you read the bathing signs (I didn’t), the designated bathing/swimming area is demarcated on the Surrey side – though open water swimmers like the Blue Tits women’s group are rather more adventurous.
The water didn’t smell (just a slight open river smell), there were a few tiny fishes visible through the very clear water and the water sample extracted for testing looked as clear as tap water.
We had a cup of tea from the YMCA Hawker centre afterwards rather than the traditional fizzy cola to keep any bugs at bay.
Come on in, the water’s lovely 😃
GI Chow 