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 health studies at each site. The two sports examined were marathon canoeing and rowing. The extremes of water quality were at the estuarine sites on the River Torridge, where pollution levels varied from a geometric mean faecal coliform value of 62/100 ml at the Appledore/Instow site to 4613/100 ml at the Bideford site. A comparison of ‘exposed’ and ‘unexposed’ groups, 5–7 days after exposure, showed that the health effects of low-contact water sports are minimal, within the water quality ranges which were studied.