Bronte Wells
The River Thames in London was declared biologically dead in the 1950s due to high levels of pollution. Sewage and industrial waste were the main contributors to the river's poor water quality, which led to a decline in fish numbers. Today, the Thames is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including seals and migratory birds, indicating that the river is coming back to life. However, recent reports suggest that the Thames is still polluted with sewage, plastic, and harmful bacteria. Climate change is also impacting the river, with rising water temperatures and sea levels affecting the estuary's wildlife. While the Thames has improved since the 1950s, ongoing pollution and environmental concerns remain a challenge.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pollution | Sewage, Microplastics, Norovirus, E. coli, Bacteria, Nutrients, Cocaine |
| Wildlife | Seals (harbour and grey), migratory wading birds, fish, turtles, birds |
| Outlook | Improving for birds and marine mammals, deteriorating for fish |
| Water Quality | High water temperatures, low oxygen levels, neutral pH |
| Action | Thames Tideway Tunnel (super sewer) under construction, due for completion in 2025 |
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What You'll Learn
The Thames was once biologically dead
The River Thames was once declared biologically dead in the 1950s. The water quality began to decline in the 1800s as London's population grew to above 2.5 million. By the 1950s, parts of the Thames were declared biologically dead. Sewage and industrial waste were major contributors to the river's pollution. In 1878, the passenger steamer Princess Alice sank in sewage waste, and many survivors of the initial collision died after ingesting the polluted water.
In the 1960s, the Port of London Authority and London County Council began to improve sewage treatment and reduce industrial pollution. However, sewage continues to enter the Thames when the system reaches capacity at overflow points along the river. The expansion of sewage treatment plants beginning in 1960 and limits on industrial discharges have helped clean up the Thames to some extent.
Today, the Thames is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including two types of seals and various bird species. Oxygen levels are up, and dangerous phosphorus levels are down. The river's pH has also improved and is now neutral, which is better for wildlife. However, there are still concerns about high levels of microplastics, bacteria, and viruses in the water, as well as the impact of climate change on water temperature and sea levels.
While the Thames has made a remarkable recovery from its biologically dead state, it is still polluted and faces ongoing challenges to its water quality.
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Pollution sources
The River Thames was declared biologically dead in the 1950s. However, the river has been coming back to life in recent years. The short- and long-term outlook for birds and marine mammals is improving, though the situation for fish is deteriorating slightly in the long term.
The River Thames has a long history of pollution. In the past, domestic and factory waste would seep into the groundwater or flow through the streets, with tributaries to the Thames becoming dumping grounds. In the mid-1800s, as London's population grew to above 2.5 million, the problems of pollution in the Thames reached a head, causing a "Great Stink" in 1858. Sewage continued to be a major issue, with the passenger steamer Princess Alice sinking in 1878 at a spot where sewers released waste into the Thames. Many survivors of the initial collision died after ingesting the polluted water.
Even today, sewage remains a significant source of pollution in the Thames. London has a combined sewage system, meaning rainwater and wastewater flow together in the same pipes. This system is often stretched beyond capacity, leading to the discharge of raw sewage into the river during heavy rains. In addition to sewage, other sources of pollution in the Thames include:
- Industrial discharges: In the past, industrial pollution significantly affected the river's pH, killing all wildlife. While limits on industrial discharges have helped clean up the Thames, thermal pollution from heated rainwater running off warmer roads can still impact water temperatures.
- Microplastics: Samples of Thames water from 2017 showed high levels of microplastics, which can have detrimental effects on aquatic life, turtles, and birds.
- Nutrient pollution: Excess nutrients in the river can act as a pollutant, impacting water quality.
- Bacteria and viruses: High levels of norovirus and E. coli have been found in the Thames, posing potential risks to human health.
- Unknown pollutants: Samples have indicated the presence of unknown pollutants, highlighting the complexity of the river's pollution problem.
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High levels of norovirus, E. coli, microplastics and cocaine
The River Thames in London was once declared biologically dead, but in recent years, it has been coming back to life. The river now supports a diverse range of wildlife, including two types of seals and several species of birds. However, despite these improvements, the Thames continues to face significant pollution issues.
One of the major concerns is the presence of harmful bacteria and viruses in the river. Samples taken near the border between Berkshire and Buckinghamshire revealed high levels of norovirus and E. coli, with an extraordinarily high estimated 39,000 norovirus gene count per litre, far exceeding the amount required to cause illness in humans. These bacteria and viruses can have detrimental effects on both human and aquatic health.
In addition to the bacterial and viral pollution, the Thames also faces environmental threats from excess nutrients and unknown pollutants. The river's water quality is further compromised by the presence of microplastics, which have been shown to negatively impact aquatic life, birds, and turtles. Experiments conducted on samples of Thames water column taken in 2017 revealed high levels of microplastics, indicating the persistent nature of this issue.
Another unexpected pollutant found in the Thames is cocaine. While it may not be a direct health hazard, it certainly contributes to the overall contamination of the river. Furthermore, the Thames has a long history of sewage pollution, with sewage sludge being disposed of in the river as recently as 1998. Even today, sewage continues to enter the Thames when the system reaches capacity, particularly during rainfall when the mix of rainwater and sewage is discharged into the river.
The impact of these pollutants on the Thames ecosystem is significant. While the river may appear to be teeming with life, the fish population is facing deteriorating conditions. The high levels of pollution, including microplastics and sewage, can directly harm fish by clogging their gills and reducing the availability of dissolved oxygen, which is crucial for their survival.
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Climate change as a wildcard
The River Thames was declared biologically dead in the 1950s due to pollution. However, the river has been coming back to life in recent years, with improvements in water quality and a resurgence of wildlife. Despite these improvements, climate change poses a significant threat to the Thames as a possible wildcard.
The successful restoration of the Thames has been attributed to improvements in sewage treatment and the regulation of industrial discharges in the 20th century. The expansion of sewage treatment plants and the implementation of limits on industrial waste have played a crucial role in reducing pollution levels in the river. However, the challenges posed by climate change, such as rising temperatures and sea levels, cannot be overlooked.
Climate change is a wildcard in the ongoing restoration of the Thames. As water temperatures and sea levels continue to rise, the estuary's wildlife and ecosystems will be significantly impacted. The report on the Thames cautions that the influences of climate change are already evident, with water temperatures and sea levels rising above historical baselines. This will undoubtedly lead to changes in life-history patterns and species ranges, affecting both the short- and long-term outlook for the river's wildlife.
To address the challenges posed by climate change, systematic changes and infrastructure improvements are necessary. River restoration efforts must adapt to account for the effects of rising temperatures on the ecosystem. This includes investing in waste treatment infrastructure and advocating for regulations to combat the root causes of river pollution. The Thames project is an ongoing initiative that addresses these issues by implementing significant infrastructure shifts and extensive habitat conservation efforts.
Additionally, the expansion of sewage treatment plants and the continued enforcement of limits on industrial discharges are crucial. While the Thames has made significant progress in reducing pollution levels, the potential impact of climate change cannot be underestimated. By adapting restoration methods and addressing the root causes of pollution, it is possible to mitigate the effects of climate change and ensure the long-term health and sustainability of the Thames.
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London's sewage system is stretched to capacity
London's sewage system is stretched beyond its capacity, causing ongoing pollution in the Thames River. The Thames was declared biologically dead in the 1950s due to high levels of pollution. While the river has been showing signs of improvement in recent decades, supporting a diverse range of wildlife, it continues to be severely polluted with sewage, plastic, and toxic bacteria.
London's sewage system combines rainwater and wastewater in the same pipes. This system was designed during the Victorian era when the city's population was significantly smaller. Today, London's growing population produces an increased amount of waste, overwhelming the sewage system and leading to overflow points along the river, such as at Blackfriars. When the pipes reach their capacity, the sewage and rainwater mix is discharged into the Thames, resulting in what is known as stormwater sewage pollution.
The impact of this pollution on the river's water quality and ecosystem is significant. Untreated sewage discharged into the river leads to a reduction in dissolved oxygen levels, as microorganisms use the oxygen to break down the sewage. This decrease in oxygen availability negatively affects aquatic life, including fish and insects. Additionally, high water temperatures, influenced by thermal pollution and stormwater runoff, further contribute to the reduction of dissolved oxygen in the water.
The presence of toxic bacteria, such as high levels of norovirus and E. coli, poses a serious risk to human health. Samples taken near the border between Berkshire and Buckinghamshire revealed extraordinarily high levels of norovirus, far exceeding the amount required to cause illness in humans. The river's history of pollution has also included sewage sludge disposal, which continued until 1998 when EU legislation banned the practice due to beach contamination.
To address the issue of sewage pollution in the Thames, London is currently constructing the Thames Tideway Tunnel, also known as the "super sewer." This project aims to capture and store the millions of tonnes of raw sewage that overflow into the estuary, offering a potential solution to the river's longstanding pollution problem.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Thames is polluted. In 2024, television naturalist Steve Backshall described the Thames as "toxic" due to high levels of norovirus and E. coli found in the river. Other pollutants include microplastics, cocaine, and sewage.
The Thames was declared biologically dead in the 1950s due to industrial pollution and sewage. Today, the river continues to be polluted by sewage overflow, industrial discharges, and plastic waste. Climate change is also impacting the Thames, as water temperatures and sea levels continue to rise.
Efforts are being made to improve the water quality of the Thames. London is currently building a "super sewer" project called the Thames Tideway Tunnel, which will capture and store the millions of tonnes of raw sewage that overflow into the river. Additionally, the expansion of sewage treatment plants and limits on industrial discharges have helped to clean up the Thames to some extent.
