The Loddon near Wargrave Sewage Treatment Works 19/June/2026
On the 19th June we did a boat trip up the Loddon to near where Wargrave Sewage Treatment Works discharges “treated” sewage. There had been little recent rain, so it is probable that the sewage works were working normally. The first sample was taken just upstream of the sewage discharge point. This sample would include water from the Loddon and St Patrick’s stream. ⬇️ Small amount of E.coli detected. The next sample was taken a few metres downstream, at the discharge point. ⬇️ E.coli reading = TNTC = too numerous to count. The final sample was taken just before the Loddon joins the Thames. ⬇️ At 6266 cfu/100ml E.coli reading still very high. (Environment Agency advise against swimming if reading is greater than 900 cfu/100ml) An additional sample was also taken on the Thames, just upstream of Shiplake Lock.⬇️ We generally find little or no E.coli here. I swim here.