Dangerously high levels of the bacterium which causes Legionnaire’s disease were found at Hawes when a comparison study for Stop Ure Pollution (SUP) was carried out on the Rivers Ure, Wye and Thames recently.
Another bacterium found at Hawes was described as a serious pathogen by the UK based biotechnology company, Molendotech, which carried out the comparison arranged by SUP Chairman Richard Loukota. The company analysed water samples from two sites on the River Thames, one on the River Wye and one on the River Ure using environmental DNA (eDNA) testing. Only those from the Ure were described by the company as of the highest clinical concern.
And throughout July 2026 high levels of pollution were found by SUP volunteers at Aysgarth Falls and Ulshaw Bridge (below).
The pollution in the Ure was highlighted last week when SUP received a report from a visitor that his dog, Elsie, became seriously ill after drinking river water.
Elsie’s owners informed SUP: ‘On the weekend 10th-13th July 2026 our German shepherd dog was playing in the water at Wensley (bridge) dipping to collect and chase stones, obviously digested water and was ill all weekend during our holiday and then rushed home because she eventually needed a vet’s visit to try and stop the continuous diarrhoea! The river seems to have serious issues.’ Thankfully, Elsie has recovered.
Richard Loukota, Chairman of Stop Ure Pollution, said: ‘The [test] results should be a wake-up call.
The River Ure has performed worse than the River Wye, which is widely regarded as one of Britain's most environmentally damaged rivers, and worse than the Thames despite its far larger population.
‘It is time for every organisation with direct or indirect responsibility for the river; the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, the Environment Agency, Yorkshire Water, farmers, agricultural contractors, landowners and Local Authorities to acknowledge the scale of the problem and work together to stop pollutants entering the river.’
And SUP’s vice chairman Toby Milbank commented: ‘The Environment Agency's "advice-led" approach has run its course and has been largely ineffective in protecting England’s rivers. The Farming Rules for Water must be properly enforced, illegal slurry spreading of organic manures is a criminal offence but the number of prosecutions in the River Wye catchment, Thames and the River Ure Catchment combined, is currently zero. In addition, 1,797 sewage overflow events should never be regarded as acceptable. Only by tackling agricultural runoff, improving sewage treatment infrastructure and restoring natural river buffer zones will we begin to return the River Ure to good ecological health.’
The River Wye has become the national symbol of river decline after years of ecological damage caused primarily by agricultural runoff and sewage pollution. Yet the River Ure sample contained E. coli levels of 3,700 CFU/100mL—almost twice those recorded in the River Wye and more than five times the level found at Henley on the River Thames, despite the Thames serving a vastly larger population.
The River Ure sample also contained elevated levels of Legionella pneumophila and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, together with extremely high enterococci counts, all recognised indicators of significant faecal contamination and poor water quality. The findings reinforce Stop Ure Pollution's weekly monitoring at Aysgarth Falls and Ulshaw Bridge
SUP believes the evidence points towards a combination of diffuse agricultural pollution, particularly slurry and manure entering watercourses, together with untreated sewage released from wastewater treatment works and storm overflows. During the winter, volunteers recorded and reported 192 acres of alleged illegal slurry spreading to the Environment Agency, while Yorkshire Water's 18 sewage treatment works in the River Ure catchment recorded 1,797 sewage overflow events lasting a combined 4,215 hours during 2025, combined, this is a total of over 175 days of untreated sewage entering the River Ure.
Twelve months of testing reveals continued bacterial pollution levels at Aysgarth Falls
Stop Ure Pollution (SUP) has completed a full year of weekly water quality monitoring at Aysgarth Falls on the River Ure, revealing persistent and concerning levels of bacterial pollution at one of Yorkshire's most popular inland bathing locations. (See below for the piechart created by Toby Milbank)
Between June 2025 and June 2026, volunteers carried out weekly testing using the Bactiquick bacterial endotoxin testing system, producing what is believed to be one of the most comprehensive independent datasets collected on the River Ure. The results indicate that almost nine out of every ten weekly samples (88.2%) fell into the "High Risk" category, with only 2.9% of samples indicating low risk.
Stop Ure Pollution is now urging swimmers, paddleboarders, kayakers, canoeists, anglers, dog walkers and anyone entering the river to exercise caution.
Endotoxins are recognised indicators of bacterial contamination and can trigger powerful inflammatory responses in humans. Exposure through contaminated water or inhalation of water spray has been associated with skin irritation, eye irritation, respiratory symptoms, fever-like illness and gastrointestinal problems, while higher levels of exposure may lead to more serious reactions.
The group says it is regularly contacted by members of the public who report becoming unwell after using the River Ure for recreational activities. They have erected signs at popular sites to warn river users of the health risk.
Stop Ure Pollution advises anyone using the river to:
• Avoid swallowing river water.
• Wash hands thoroughly after leaving the water and before eating.
• Shower as soon as possible after swimming or paddling.
• Cover any open cuts or abrasions before entering the water.
• Prevent dogs from drinking river water where pollution is suspected.
• Take extra care following periods of rainfall or when the river appears particularly turbid.
The organisation says that although further scientific investigation is continuing, one of the strongest patterns emerging from the year's monitoring is the relationship between high turbidity (cloudy water caused by suspended material) and elevated bacterial endotoxin readings.
Early evidence suggests that the most likely causes are a combination of diffuse agricultural pollution from organic manures, slurry and farmyard manure, together with contamination arising from untreated sewage discharges from waste treatment works.
During the 2025/26 winter spreading season SUP volunteers recorded and reported to the Environnment Agency what appeared to be illegal slurry spreading on 192 acres of farmland. It is illegal to spread slurry on waterlogged, frozen ground, within 10 metres of a watercourse, or without agronomic justification. The organisation says the Environment Agency has indicated it is preparing for further monitoring and enforcement activity during the coming winter.
The group is also concerned about sewage infrastructure throughout the catchment. According to publicly available spill data, Yorkshire Water's 18 sewage treatment works within the River Ure catchment recorded 1,797 sewage overflow events during 2025, lasting a combined total of 4,215 hours.
Richard Loukota, Chairman of Stop Ure Pollution, said:
"After testing the River Ure weekly for the past year at two locations, the extent of the pollution has become abundantly clear. These are not isolated incidents or one-off pollution events—they point towards a river under continual pressure from multiple sources. We believe the long-term solution is equally clear. Illegal slurry spreading must be eliminated through a combination of common sense backed up by stronger monitoring and enforcement. Yorkshire Water must continue investing in its sewage treatment infrastructure to reduce spills. Farmers should be supported in fencing livestock away from riverbanks and establishing wide natural buffer strips that filter pollutants before they reach the river.
"Only by tackling agricultural runoff and sewage pollution together will we begin to restore the River Ure to the healthy river that local communities, wildlife and visitors deserve."
Stop Ure Pollution will continue its weekly monitoring programme throughout 2026, with further data and analysis to be published as additional results become available.
Stop Ure Pollution would like to thank its committee, volunteers and members for their support as well as The Community Fund of the National Lottery and Surfers Against Sewage for funding the research.
Toby Milbank hss created graphs to illustrate the results from testing carried out by Stop Ure Pollution volunteers at Ulshaw Bridge from June 2025 to June 2026. See below for a summary about these.
Summary
Overall Condition
Poor to Moderate ecological health. Chemically the river is only moderately polluted, but microbiological contamination is consistently poor. Results suggest chronic diffuse pollution rather than a single continuous discharge.
Key Findings
Persistent faecal contamination – E. coli and Bactiquick results remain high throughout the year.
High turbidity – Frequent readings above 500 NTU indicate severe sediment loading.
Elevated nutrients – Nitrate levels are consistently elevated with one major spike above 7 ppm; ammonia generally remains low.
Seasonal pattern – Water quality improves during winter but deteriorates again in spring, consistent with agricultural activity.
Multiple indicators agree – E. coli, Bactiquick, turbidity and nitrate all point towards the same pollution sources.
Comparison with Other Rivers
Better than: heavily urban rivers such as parts of the Aire, Calder and Don.Similar to: intensively farmed rivers including parts of the Wye and Lugg catchments.Worse than: most upland rivers within the Yorkshire Dales, North Pennines and other National Parks.
Most Likely Pollution Sources
Livestock farming – Direct livestock access, slurry and manure runoff
Agricultural land management – Manure spreading, field runoff and soil erosion are likely significant contributors.
Sewage infrastructure – Yorkshire Water treatment works, storm overflows and private septic tanks
Priority Actions
Fence livestock from watercourses and provide alternative drinking points.
Improve slurry and manure management
Upgrade sewage treatment works and investigate private septic tanks.
Establish wider riparian buffer strips and restore wetlands to intercept runoff and trap sediment.
Overall Conclusion
The evidence indicates that the River Ure at Ulshaw Bridge is under significant pressure from diffuse agricultural and sewage pollution.
The test results using Bactiquick since June last year have shown that the River Ure is polluted and people should wash their hands after being in contact with the water. Be careful for your dogs as well.
The 'High Risk' levels continued in July 2026 See 'Dangerously high levels of pollution at Hawes'.
The risks to those bathing in the River Ure at Aysgarth Falls and also at Middleham (and that includes dogs) remain high. And that is when the water level is high.
After heavy rain in early February Richard Loutoka commented that this had diluted the endotoxins. Here are the Bactiquick test results at Aysgarth Falls and Ulshaw Bridge (near Middleham) in December 2025 and February 2026: And those for February 16. which show that such dilution had stopped.
Some volunteers have joined Richard this year when he has regularly tested the river water at Ulshaw Bridge thanks to Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) which has covered the costs. Click here to see the results from those tests up until July 15.
He reported:‘We have tested the River on nine occasions, although we have not yet received the E.coli results from the 7th July. Ecoli levels have been variable ranging from <10 to >1000.'
Thanks to the grant from SAS SUP has also obtained Bactiquick testing equipment for Ecoli. As of July 15 Richard had done three tests with this at Ulshaw Bridge. All came back at a Red level - there are Green, Amber and Red levels and he believes Red starts at 58 ERUs. The values on the first two tests were 151 and 166!
The Bactiquick equipment will now be used to test the river water at Aysgarth Falls.
When the river and some tributaries were tested on October 9th 2024 it was found that none of those tributaries would have met the sufficient (safe) level for inland bathing and the concentration of E coli at Aysgarth Falls was eight times above that level. The highest E-coli concentration was recorded on the River Tutt at Boroughbridge.
Yorkshire Dales River Trust report
What did we do and what did we find:
Following the first round of sampling on the River Ure in dry conditions in August 2024, a follow-up sampling event was held on 9th October 2024. Ten teams of citizen scientists took water samples from 45 sites along the full length of the river and some of its major tributaries at approximately the same time on the same day. The samples were analysed by ALS Ltd for the faecal bacteria E. coli as well as nutrient and chemical analysis. The activity was organised by Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust with support from Stop Ure Pollution. We would like to thank the many volunteers who assisted with the sampling.
Left to right: Charlotte Simons, Richard Loukota, Mark Thompson and Mary Boyd.
On July 14 Charlotte Simons and Mary Boyd of the Yorkshire Dales River Trust met with Richard Loukota and Mark Thompson of Stop Ure Pollution (SUP) at Leyburn Quaker Meeting House to plan the river-length testing of the Ure beginning of August 21st. The SUP committee is very grateful to Leyburn Quaker Meeting House for allowing it to meet there even when there was no cash in the kitty!
Yorkshire Dales River Trust report:
When ten teams of citizen scientists (mainly SUP voluntees) took water samples from 45 sites along the full length of the River Ure and some of its major tributaries at approximately the same time on the same day on August 21st 2024 it was found that at almost half of the sites the E.coli concentrations were above the levels deemed sufficient (safe) for inland bathing water. . The samples were analysed by ALS Ltd for the faecal bacteria E. coli as well as nutrient and chemical analysis. The activity was organised by Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust with support from Stop Ure Pollution. [Yorkshire Water paid for the analysis of the samples.]
Read more: River test results August 2024 - with team photos