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  "path": "/2026/02/13/thames-first-official-swimming-spot-safe-swim-26874399/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-02-13T11:26:32.000Z",
  "site": "https://metro.co.uk",
  "tags": [
    "News",
    "UK",
    "London",
    "weather",
    "River Thames",
    "Government",
    "tests",
    "How a single phone call led police to the heart of London's gang violence",
    "Moment £100,000 statue of boxer Teddy Baldock ripped down by masked thieves",
    "Man, 23, plunges five floors to death 'looking out for pizza delivery'",
    "London news hub",
    "**check our news page**",
    "Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source"
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  "textContent": "The section of the Thames which flows through Ham and Kingston could soon become the first official bathing site on the river (Picture: Getty Images)\n\nAlthough it is not quite the weather to imagine it yet, you could soon be voluntarily taking a refreshing dip in the River Thames.\n\nThe section of the Thames which flows through Ham and Kingston could soon become the first official bathing site on the river.\n\nIt is one of 13 new designated swimming sites proposed by the Government.\n\nThe spot would mark a ‘vast transformation’ in water quality in the river – which was declared biologically dead in the 1950s due to pollution.\n\nTo this day, it is still not meeting water quality targets set out by law, with pollution from roads, agriculture and micro-plastics all present.\n\nBut the biggest issue has been sewage pollution, with 14.2 billion litres dumped in the river in 2023 – making for a less than luxurious swim.\n\nThe water is also regularly found to be ‘too alkaline’ to support healthy wildlife, according to tests.\n\n## Where are the proposed new swimming sites?\n\n## Will the River Thames be safe to swim in?\n\nDesignated swimming spots mean sites are subject to more water quality testing.\n\nThis gives locals a better idea of what they are actually swimming in, which campaigners hope will increase pressure for river clean-ups.\n\nBut this does not necessarily mean the Thames will be safe to swim in if it is ever designated as an official bathing spot.\n\n##  Latest London news\n\n  * How a single phone call led police to the heart of London's gang violence\n\n  * Moment £100,000 statue of boxer Teddy Baldock ripped down by masked thieves\n\n  * Man, 23, plunges five floors to death 'looking out for pizza delivery'\n\n\n\n_**To get the latest news from the capital visit Metro's** London news hub._\n\nLast year, 32 sites out of 464 failed to meet minimum standards for water quality.\n\nSo it will be up to local campaigners to ensure the water is safe to swim in.\n\nWater minister Emma Hardy said: ‘Rivers and beaches are at the heart of so many communities, where people come together, families make memories and swimmers of all ages feel the benefits of being outdoors safely.\n\n‘Our plans to designate new bathing water sites show how we are backing local ambition and recognising the pride in places that matter most to people.\n\n‘This comes alongside this Government’s generational reform of the water system that will cut water pollution and clean up our rivers lakes and seas for good.’\n\n******Get in touch with our news team by emailing us atwebnews@metro.co.uk.******\n\n**For more stories like this,****check our news page**.\n\nComment now Comments  Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source ",
  "title": "The Thames could get its first official swimming spot – but is it safe to swim there?"
}