THE HEALTH-EFFECTS OF LOW-CONTACT WATER ACTIVITIES IN FRESH AND ESTUARINE WATERS

Four studies were carried out at separate locations to investigate the relationship between health effects and low-contact water sports, and intensive microbiological sampling was conducted in parallel to the h ealth studies at each site. The two sports examined were marathon cano eing and rowing. The extremes of water quality were at the estuarine s ites on the River Torridge, where pollution levels varied from a geome tric mean faecal coliform value of 62/100 ml at the Appledore/Instow s ite to 4613/100 ml at the Bideford site. A comparison of 'exposed' and 'unexposed' groups, 5-7 days after exposure, showed that the health e ffects of low-contact water sports are minimal, within the water quali ty ranges which were studied.