Testing by the Environment Agency at a stretch of the River Cam in Cambridge has revealed high levels of E. coli in the water.
The testing comes after Sheep’s Green in the city was among 27 sites in England to be given designated bathing status last month.
Under the designation, the Environment Agency will monitor the site during the bathing season, which runs from 15 May to 30 September.
The first test – a ‘pre-season’ test – was conducted at Sheep’s Green on 8 May. It found 2,700 E. coli colonies per 100ml and 240 intestinal Enterococci colonies per 100ml.
A second test, conducted on 15 May, found the levels ofE. coli colonies had dropped to 2,400 per 100ml, but the level of intestinal Enterococci colonies per 100ml had risen to 460.
However, a test on 24 May found 5,900 E, coli colonies per 100ml and 2,700 intestinal Enterococci colonies per 100ml.
The Environment Agency takes up to 20 water samples at each of England’s designated bathing sites during the water bathing season.
The tests look for bacteria that indicates whether there is faecal matter in the water.
Bathing waters can be classified as ‘excellent’, ‘good’, ‘sufficient’ or ‘poor’.
The agency will assess whether action is needed to cut pollution levels.
