Warning over 'high levels' of pollution at Aysgarth Falls

Stop Ure Pollution (SUP) has completed a full year of weekly water quality monitoring at Aysgarth Falls on the River Ure, revealing persistent and concerning levels of bacterial pollution at one of Yorkshire's most popular inland bathing locations.

Yorkshire Water has said that “the results from Stop Ure Pollution’s monitoring highlight the challenges that remain in the River Ure, and we are determined to play our part to improve its health."

Between June 2025 and June 2026, volunteers from SUP carried out weekly testing, producing what they believe is one of the most comprehensive independent datasets collected on the River Ure.

Aysgarth Falls (Image: SUBMIT)

The results indicate that almost nine out of every ten weekly samples (88.2 per cent) fell into the 'High Risk' category, with only 2.9 per cent of samples indicating low risk.

The group says it is regularly contacted by members of the public who report becoming unwell after using the River Ure for recreational activities.

They have erected signs at popular sites to warn river users of the health risk.

Stop Ure Pollution is now urging swimmers, paddleboarders, kayakers, canoeists, anglers, dog walkers and anyone entering the river to exercise caution.

Stop Ure Pollution advises anyone using the river to:

• Avoid swallowing river water.
• Wash hands thoroughly after leaving the water and before eating.
• Shower as soon as possible after swimming or paddling.
• Cover any open cuts or abrasions before entering the water.
• Prevent dogs from drinking river water where pollution is suspected.
• Take extra care following periods of rainfall or when the river appears particularly turbid.

Early evidence suggests that the most likely causes are a combination of diffuse agricultural pollution from organic manures, slurry and farmyard manure, together with contamination arising from untreated sewage discharges from waste treatment works.

During the 2025/26 winter spreading season, SUP volunteers recorded and reported to the Environment Agency what appeared to be illegal slurry spreading on 192 acres of farmland.

The organisation says the Environment Agency has indicated it is preparing for further monitoring and enforcement activity during the coming winter.

The River Ure (Image: SUBMIT)

According to publicly available spill data, Yorkshire Water's 18 sewage treatment works within the River Ure catchment recorded 1,797 sewage overflow events during 2025, lasting a combined total of 4,215 hours.

Richard Loukota, Chairman of Stop Ure Pollution, said: "After testing the River Ure weekly for the past year at two locations, the extent of the pollution has become abundantly clear.

"These are not isolated incidents or one-off pollution events, they point towards a river under continual pressure from multiple sources.

"We believe the long-term solution is equally clear. Illegal slurry spreading must be eliminated through a combination of common sense backed up by stronger monitoring and enforcement.

"Yorkshire Water must continue investing in its sewage treatment infrastructure to reduce spills. Farmers should be supported in fencing livestock away from riverbanks and establishing wide natural buffer strips that filter pollutants before they reach the river.

"Only by tackling agricultural runoff and sewage pollution together will we begin to restore the River Ure to the healthy river that local communities, wildlife and visitors deserve."

In response to the concerns, a Yorkshire Water spokesperson said: “We will be investing millions of pounds in 14 storm overflows that discharge into the River Ure by 2030, as part of a £1.5bn investment across the region to reduce discharges to watercourses.

“While we reduce discharges, it is important other organisations, businesses, and individuals come together so we can tackle all sources of pollution to our region’s watercourses. We’ll continue working with Stop Ure Pollution on this.”