Wrongly connected waste pipes from homes have contaminated a River Wharfe swimming spot making it unsafe, an investigation has found.
The River Wharfe, at Ilkley, was the first stretch of freshwater to receive the status from Defra indicating it was safe for bathing. But the following year, Defra inspectors found the water contained unsafe levels of faecal bacteria and advised against bathing in it.
Yorkshire Water has since launched an investigation into the sources of pollution, partly thought to be from animal faeces in the run-off from fields next to the river and its tributaries.
