Spectators watch a race on the River Thames at the Henley Royal Regatta in Henley-on-Thames, west of London, on June 30, 2023. LONDON — Harmful E.coli bacteria has been discovered at "alarmingly high" levels in the U.K.'s River Thames just days before elite rowers are due to compete there for the international Henley Regatta, anti-pollution campaigners have warned. River Action also found E.coli levels up to 10 times higher in March tests. James Wallace, CEO of River Action, accused the government and Thames Water, which manages water supply in the area, of failing to appropriately manage water hygiene levels. Thames Water did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment, though the BBC reported that it had dubbed the findings "alarmist" and said it was monitoring bacteria levels.

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Persons: James Wallace, Sir Steve Redgrave, UKHSA Organizations: Henley Royal Regatta, Henley Regatta, River Action, Henley, —, Thames Water, BBC, CNBC, Henley Royal, Olympic, UK Health Security Agency Locations: Henley, Thames, London, Oxfordshire