After enduring a rather dreary June, the UK is set to sizzle under a 'scorching' 10-day heatwave, with temperatures potentially soaring to 40C in some regions due to an approaching 'heat dome'.
The spike in mercury has previously fuelled a surge in outdoor swimming across the nation, with the Outdoor Swimming Society noting that around 7.5 million Brits take to rivers, lakes, lidos, and seas annually.Membership of the society has skyrocketed, with an increase of 170,000 in recent years.Yet, as the country braces for the sweltering conditions, health experts are raising the alarm for those keen on taking a dip outdoors.
The staggering volume of sewage discharged into British rivers and coastal waters each year poses a significant threat.Last year alone, there were 464,056 instances of sewage spills in UK waters, prompting medical professionals to caution about the potential severe health impacts of ingesting contaminated water.
Gut health expert Dr Alasdair Scott from Selph warns of the dangers lurking in our open waters: "When sewage is spilt into open water, it means it is highly likely to contain coliform bacteria, which is basically an E.