River Great Ouse Pollution: MP Mohammad Yasin Responds to Bedford's Water Quality Crisis
The river Great Ouse has been significant for Bedford for a very long time. It’s incredibly distinctive, and it is used for angling, rowing and a variety of other water sports. However, recently public health concerns have been raised over the water quality. Dangerous levels of E.coli have been measured in many locations. The Bedford Great Ouse Valley Environmental Trust measured many locations along the river in the Bedford area, and over half had colony forming unit levels over 900, which is considered the maximum that is safe for wild water swimming or bathing.
Other concerns include a lot of littering and plastic being thrown in. The BedsGOVET also stated that there was ten times the safe amount of microplastics in the river.
Colony forming units are the measurement of how many bacterial or fungal cells there is in water per 100ml, and some locations around Bedford measured well up to 10,000.
With water sports taking place, it has been a big concern for public health.
YouthTV has contacted local MP, Mohammad Yasin, about some concerns about the river and if he would support any motions to improve water quality and the river.
Response
1. Is there a specific timeline or plan that Anglian Water or the council has in place to tackle the unhealthy levels of bacteria in the river?
The health of the River Great Ouse is an extremely important issue, both for the environment and for public health. I regularly meet with local environmental groups, including BedsGOVET, whose work monitoring water quality is invaluable. In fact, I have another meeting with BedsGOVET scheduled this week to discuss these issues further.
I am also meeting the Environment Agency's Regional Director early next month, where improving water quality will be a key topic of discussion. In addition, I have recently written to Anglian Water raising concerns about water quality and pressing for action.
It is vital that all relevant organisations, including Anglian Water, the Environment Agency and local authorities, work together to improve the health of our rivers and ensure the public can have confidence in their safety.
2. Would you support targets or penalties for Anglian Water regarding water quality?
Water companies must be held to high environmental standards and be accountable when they fail to meet them. Strong regulation, clear performance targets and meaningful enforcement are all essential if we are to restore confidence in our waterways. Companies should not be able to profit while consistently failing to protect the environment.
More broadly, I welcome the growing debate around the future ownership and governance of our water industry. The current system has failed to deliver the investment, environmental protection and accountability that the public rightly expects, and I believe it is right that options, including greater public ownership, are being seriously considered.
3. What local initiatives or agricultural subsidies would you support to help Bedfordshire farmers become more sustainable?
Farmers have an important role to play in protecting our rivers, and they should be supported to do so. I support measures that encourage sustainable land management, reduce nutrient and pesticide run-off, improve soil health and protect watercourses, while ensuring that local farmers remain productive and financially viable. Any long-term solution to improving river quality will require partnership between farmers, water companies, regulators and environmental organisations.
4. What pressure can you put on the Borough Council to implement public health warnings to protect families and dogs?
I cannot speak on behalf of Bedford Borough Council or its decisions. However, where there are genuine public health risks, it is important that the relevant authorities keep the public appropriately informed. My focus is on continuing to raise these issues with the agencies responsible for water quality, including Anglian Water and the Environment Agency, and working closely with local campaign groups such as BedsGOVET to ensure concerns are properly heard and acted upon.
Local MP, Mohammad Yasin’s responses show that while the high levels of bacteria and microplastics are alarming, pressure is building on the authorities to act. With crucial meetings scheduled between the MP, BedsGOVET, and the Environment Agency, the future of the Great Ouse hangs in the balance. Saving Bedford's iconic river will require a massive joint effort from water companies, farmers, and local regulators alike. YouthTV will continue to monitor the situation and update viewers on whether these promises turn into real, clean water.
