PTRC Water Quality Testing Initiative
Why test the water?
With the recent opening of the super sewer downstream from PTRC, we’re taking proactive steps to monitor water quality around our new steps.
Starting in January 2025, every week members have been testing the water in the Thames River for Ecoli. Taking samples at both ebb and flood tide, we are also noting water temperature, river and weather conditions and recent rainfall.
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Our focus?
Tracking levels of E. coli to inform our community and for use by all those interested in preventing the ongoing pollution of the River Thames.
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River Action
Putney Town Rowing Club is grateful to River Action for supporting our project to monitor E. coli levels in the Thames and raise public awareness about water quality. Their generous Community Fund grant (July 2025) provides the loan of a Fluidion E. coli Tester and a six-month supply of reagent. This equipment enables us to gather reliable weekly data and share findings with the rowing community and the wider public.
the plan
Starting in January 2025, a dedicated team of volunteers will collect water samples weekly for 1 year.
These samples, taken at both ebb and flood tide, will also include data on water temperature and river conditions.
meet the team
We have representation across most squads at PTRC. If you are currently a member at PTRC, and want to be involved, please find us via the PTRC WhatsApp community.
what will we do with the data?
Putney Town RC and The Fulham Reach Boat Club (FRBC), are working with a Fluidion ‘Alert One’ device to test two sections of the Thames, outside our club near Chiswick Bridge, and down river at Fulham Reach near Hammersmith Bridge.
Results are live and open access here.
These results will also be shared with British Rowing, River Action, and open-source databases to contribute to larger environmental efforts.
ptrc water testing featured in the news
Ellie Warren on podcast 'complete rowing'
In this episode I speak with Ellie Warren about Thames Tideway water quality. Ellie explains her work in testing water quality and tells us all about:
- The testing results
- How the testing works
- River Action and their good work
- The new sewer system in London
- The flood tide foamy stuff!
- The health of the river
- The dangers and what clubs can do