Open Water Swimming

There is always a greater risk of infection or illness caused by microorganisms when swimming in open water. Sewage pumped into rivers and seas by water companies can cause illness and feeling of being unwell. Regular water quality monitoring and testing of a few key elements can help minimise this risk. What should be monitored:  Bacteria (Coliforms/E.coli, Enterococci), Cyanobacteria / Blue-green algae, pH, conductivity. Additional tests for dissolved metals are also available.

Got a question about Open Water Testing? Try our free guide How to test the quality of Open Water for bathing or swimming.

Find out more about the causes of water pollution in rivers & lakes and how to check for visual signs of pollution.

As seen on the national news.

• Freshwater Biological Association (FBA) and SimplexHealth has been providing the lab tests for the Big Windermere Survey.
• The Sun newspaper asked SimplexHealth to test the River Seine for Coliform Bacteria ahead of the Paris Olympics 2024.
• LBC Radio commissioned SimplexHealth to carry out laboratory tests for the potentially deadly bacteria E Coli for Nick Ferrari at Breakfast
• Earthwatch WaterBlitz and SimplexHealth has been providing the coliform lab tests for rivers and streams across the UK

SimplexHealth work with several charities and action groups, analysing rivers, lakes and sea water. If you have a river or lake testing project you would like us to get involved in, please let us know.