Numerous children have been hospitalised after swimming in the River Avon in Bristol.
Oasis Academy in Brislington has confirmed that several students have shown signs of illness, with a minority needing hospital care as a precaution.
The symptoms came about after swimming in the River Avon near Beese’s Ferry Crossing.
In a letter, the school said: “Several of these students have reported symptoms consistent with gastrointestinal illness and unfortunately a small number have required hospital care as a precautionary measure.
“We understand that with the recent warm weather, outdoor swimming is appealing to many young people.
“However, rivers can carry a number of health risks, including waterborne bacteria or contaminants, which are not always visible or predictable.”
The government has announced plans to abolish Ofwat and merge its responsibilities with those of the Environment Agency, Natural England, and the Drinking Water Inspectorate.
This new single regulator will oversee all water functions in England, aiming to cut pollution and contamination, improve infrastructure, and better protect consumers.
The reform follows criticism of the current fragmented system and is set to be implemented by 2027 through a new Water Reform Bill.
