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.
Conditions:
The sampling took place after a period of wet weather. Heavy rain had fallen the day and night before. Event Duration Monitoring (EDM) data showed that some Combined Sewage Overflows had been discharging prior to the testing including Leyburn Sewage works which had discharging for 14 hours between 7pm on 8th October and 9am on 9th October. The river flow gauges showed a pulse of water travelling down the river on the day.
The results showed for:
Faecal Indicator Organisms (FIO)
Almost all (41 out of 45) of the sites had E.coli concentrations above the levels deemed
sufficient for inland bathing water.
E.coli concentrations were high (over 2000 cfu/100ml) right from the top of the catchment at Lunds, peaking at Aysgarth footbridge (8900 cfu/100ml) and remaining high until West Tanfield. Increased E.coli concentrations then rose again at Bridge Hewick (3500 cfu/100ml), dropping slightly at Boroughbridge before rising dramatically at Aldborough (9500 cfu/100ml)
Potential designated bathing sites at Aysgarth Falls had E.coli concentrations eight times above the levels deemed sufficient for inland bathing water (7500cfu/100ml v 900 cfu/100ml)
None of the tributaries would meet the sufficient level for inland bathing water. The highest E- coli concentration was recorded on the River Tutt at Boroughbridge (18,900 cfu/100ml)
The levels of E.coli measured in October are higher than those seen in August. This does reflect patterns seen on the Wharfe although the levels in the Ure are far lower.
For the full report, including graphs regarding the results, click here.
Comparison of the E-coli results in August and October 2024: (for PDF file of this click here)
