POLICE WARNING ON LOCAL RIVER POLLUTION
The local police have today issued a ‘public information notice’ following the Environment Agency’s confirmation of a significant ‘pollution incident’ impacting a long stretch of the River Thames including Teddington Lock and the recently Designated Bathing Area between Kingston and Ham.
Their warning states: “Please be advised that the Environment Agency has detected a blue-green algae bloom in the River Thames.
“The incident was first identified on the 18 August 2026 and remains under ongoing assessment and monitoring. The bloom continues to persist along a 10-kilometre stretch of the lower River Thames, between Sunbury Lock and Teddington Lock, including the Ham and Kingston Designated Bathing Water area.
“This has been classified as a Category 1 environmental incident due to the potential risks it poses to:
- Human health
- Domestic animals and wildlife
- The wider environment
“There also have been unconfirmed sightings of small, isolated patches of algae within the tidal Thames between Teddington Lock and Richmond Half Tide Lock(approximately 5 kilometres).
“While conditions in the tidal Thames are generally less favourable for this type of algae due to salinity, turbidity, and tidal water movement, there remains a possibility that patches could spread with tidal activity.
“As a precaution, members of the public are advised to exercise increased caution in the upper tidal Thames:
- Do not enter the water.
- Avoid all contact with river water in affected areas.
- Keep pets and animals away from the water and do not allow them to drink it.
“At present, it is not possible to predict how long the algae bloom will persist. However, cooler weather conditions and increased river flows are expected to help improve the situation over time.
Please report environmental incidents, including fish in distress and suspected algae blooms in other areas of the river
Any related environmental concerns on: report environmental incidents on GOV.UK or by calling the Environmental Agency incident hotline: 0800 807060
Further updates will be provided as the situation develops.
For official guidance, please visit:algal blooms: advice for the public and landowners – GOV.UK
Thank you for your co-operation and support.