Swimmers told to keep out of London’s first bathing site on the Thames – after it’s been polluted by toxic algae

Swimmers have been urged to stay away from London‘s first official bathing site on the Thames because it is polluted with toxic algae.  

The Environment Agency has also warned locals against going into water along a broader stretch of the river, which is also likely to have been struck by the algae. 

The regulator, which is also responsible for flood and waste management, stressed it was ‘vitally important’ to keep dogs away from the water. 

It comes as the Ham and Kingston bathing site opened in Kingston upon Thames last May, becoming the first designated bathing water on the Thames in London. 

And as it opened its doors alongside a tranche of new sites for open water swimming, it became subject to regular water tests until the end of September.

However, the agency has now warned swimmers against bathing at the site due to the presence of blue-green algae, which has toxins harmful to humans and animals.

Blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, blooms when warm temperatures, low rainfall and calmer water conditions create the ideal growing conditions for it, officials said.

They produce toxins that can kill wild animals, farm animals and pets, and can also harm people, causing skin rashes and illness if swallowed.

The regulator, which is also responsible for flood and waste management, stressed it was ‘vitally important’ to keep dogs away from the water (An aerial view of the site)

The body said that during drought and prolonged dry weather, it has reported increasing numbers of algal blooms, fish deaths and deteriorating water quality.

An Environment Agency spokesman said: ‘We have identified blue-green algae on the lower River Thames including the Ham and Kingston designated bathing water.

‘We are working with the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, who have put signage in this location to warn people that it is not safe to swim.

‘An advice against bathing notice has been activated on the Swiminfo website.’

The spokesman also warned that it was likely the section of the River Thames between Hampton and Kingston had also been affected.

‘It is important that members of the public do not enter the Thames along this stretch. It is also vitally important to keep dogs out of the water,’ they urged.

The Environment Agency is taking water samples along the stretch of river to confirm the extent of the algal bloom.

The UK Health Security Agency and abstractors have been notified, the regulator added.