The Boat Race between the universities of Oxford and Cambridge is threatened by pollution of the Thames. Organizers of the prestigious race have urged rowers to cover any open wounds and wash at a dedicated cleaning station after their event on March 30, 2024.
In recent years, private water companies in England have been heavily criticized for dumping untreated sewage and rainwater into the river. A massive 25 kilometer tunnel is being built at a cost of £5 billion, and is due to be operational by 2025.