Water Quality at Thames Young Mariners

Surrey Outdoor Learning and Development (SOLD) take our responsibility to our customers very seriously ensuring the water quality is good for water-based activities on and in our lake at Thames Young Mariners in Ham, Richmond.

You will be aware of recent reports of sewerage entering the River Thames. To reassure all our customers, we are very fortunate to have lock gates that only open on incoming tides which results in the incoming water from the Thames being very limited.

The location of the sewage outlets is much further down the river and even on the incoming tides, we are fortunate enough for the contaminated water not to reach Teddington Lock. This is a contributing factor to keeping good clean healthy water in the Thames Young Mariners Lake.

However there are occasions that raise our concerns even with the knowledge of the lower Thames sewage reach.

The following responses help to negate the risk:

• We undertake water tests which are sent to a laboratory on a regular basis.
• Tests are undertaken all year round and increase when there are concerns or flooding.
• The tests conform to EC Bathing Water Directive and do include E. Coli and Enterococci.

If there is any increase in test outcomes or water quality the following actions will occur:

• Activity changes to reduce risk of entering water.
• Hand sanitisation.
• Shower after activity.
• Although this has never happened, should contamination be identified, no water activities will take place.

There are regular communications from agencies about water quality that help us make good decisions.

The water in the Thames Young Mariners' Lake has been of very good quality for a number of years, with regular testing and communications from agencies, we continue to have confidence in lake water quality.

April 2024