Dangerously high levels of phosphate in the Cam caused by ‘serious neglect’

Local environmentalists have criticised Anglian Water after the phosphate level of the River Cam was found to be 70 times higher than the acceptable amount

Anglian Water said the problem will be fixed by upgrades by the end of 2024Rebecca Tyson

by Finley Brighton

This article is 3 years old

Friday February 3 2023, 12:01am

Local environmentalists have found that phosphate levels in parts of the River Cam are 70 times higher than the acceptable amount, according to laboratory tests of water samples.

Concerns were initially raised by district councillor Richard Pavitt, who has been testing the river water for the past two years.

Pavitt's findings were then validated by Cam Valley Forum, a Cambridge-based charity which was set up to gain a better understanding of contamination in the Cam and determine sources of waste.

Phosphate is found in sewage and household waste and removes oxygen from water. The high levels of phosphate in the River Cam is distressing news for Cambridge's aspiring open water swimming community.

Phosphate has been emitted into the river from sewage water treatment centres in Great Chesterford, Newport and Quendon. Councillor Pavitt claimed that this is the result of “serious neglect” by Anglian Water and the Environment Agency.

When asked about the findings a spokesperson for Anglian Water told Varsity that sewage treatment works in Quendon and Newport will be “upgraded to reduce phosphate concentrations entering the River Cam by the end of 2024” as part of the company’s £800m environmental investment programme.

River Cam beauty spot full of sewage, research suggests

However, this is not the first time Anglian Water has faced criticism for their environmental record. The Environmental Agency recently issued a fine to Anglian Water of £560,170 for a sewage leak in 2017 that killed 5,000 fish. 6 million litres of sewage was discharged into River Great Ouse for 23 hours, which is enough to fill two Olympic size swimming pools.

In response to their recent prosecution for the sewage leak, a spokesperson for Anglian Water told Varsity: “We take our duty of care to the environment incredibly seriously and deeply regret any negative impact when things go wrong.”

They reasserted their pledge to “improve further and progress towards achieving our zero pollutions goal.”

An investigation last year found that 40% of river flow at popular swimming spot Sheep's Green is sewage effluent.

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