Swimmers are so worried about getting tummy bugs from sewage dumped in seas and rivers they are splashing out on snorkels to avoid swallowing filthy water.
Surf and swimming shops report a boom in sales of specially designed £34 swimming snorkels which mean bathers don’t have to gulp poo-infested water as they breathe while swimming.
Wild swimmers are also splashing out on goggles, ear plugs, nose clips and even ear protection sprays to stop nasty infections.
Last week 57 people fell ill from diarrhoea after swimming in the sea during the World Triathlon Championships in Sunderland, health bosses have confirmed.
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Roughly 2,000 people took part in the major tournament, which saw athletes swim in the sea at Roker Beach, which was given a prestigious Blue Flag award for its cleanliness just two years ago.
A test run by the UK’s Environment Agency just three days before the event revealed that there were 3,900 E. Coli colonies per 100ml, which is nearly 40 times higher than typical readings from June.
Louise Reddy, a spokeswoman for Surfers Against Sewage said: “It’s disgusting that swimmers are having to resort to snorkels to be able to enter the water. We advise water-users to stay clear of the water for 48 hours after a sewage pollution incident.
“It’s the reason we set up our Safer Seas and Rivers Service – so that water-users can receive live pollution alerts and make informed decisions about when and where they use the water. Between 1st October 2021 and 30th September 2022, 720 water users reported getting ill after entering the water.
“Following years of lapse regulation and devastating underinvestment from water companies, our waterways have paid the price. It’s time that people and planet are prioritised over profit.”
The outbreak of diarrhoea comes as British beaches are suffering a deluge of raw sewage being released into waters that people swim in every day.
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