Stop Ure Pollution (SUP) is planning to put up posters warning about the dangers of swimming in the River Ure due to pollution. The plans will be outlined at the group’s first annual general meeting, which takes place at 7pm on Tuesday, September 23, at the Methodist Church Hall in Leyburn.
The meeting will feature presentations from the Yorkshire Dales River Trust, Yorkshire Water’s River Health team, and SUP chairman Professor Richard Loukota.
Prof Loukota has been carrying out weekly tests on the River Ure throughout July and August using a nationally recognised hand-held testing kit called Bactiquick, which gives results in 15 minutes. The device indicates a “high risk” when readings are above 58 ERU (endotoxin risk units).
According to Prof Loukota, readings at Aysgarth Falls have consistently exceeded 132 ERU, while Ulshaw Bridge has recorded levels above 115 ERU. Even at Appersett, which is further upstream, readings reached 76 ERU on September 1.
Samples were also sent to a registered laboratory for further E.coli testing, which confirmed the water poses a high risk for humans and dogs.
SUP says it has been informed of at least eight people becoming ill after contact with the river this summer, with two requiring hospital treatment for up to five days.
Prof Loukota is due to carry out further testing of the river water before the AGM, this time alongside representatives of Yorkshire Water.
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