I swam 31 rivers in 31 days and survived, but we need a clean-up | Ella Foote

Millions swim in open water and outdoor pools in the UK and we must press for better water standards

Why would you even want to swim in a UK river? It's cold, it's a bit mucky and yes, it comes with risk.

I may well die of some hideous waterborne flesh-eating virus that entered the water on the wing of a migrating bird, but I love river swimming. Perhaps the duck poo between the toes or the fact that it's "dirty" is what's discouraging you from leaping into your local river, but when was the last time you went for a swim in a pool and didn't have someone else's hair wrap around your fingers?