Questions about water safety at a popular stretch of the River Ribble near Clitheroe have been raised after it was designated for regular testing this summer.

The Ribble at Edisford, known for paddling and picnics, is being regularly measured for the presence of bacteria by the Environment Agency (EA) until the end of September.

Tests look at levels of E.coli and intestinal interococci in the water, associated with human and animal waste.

In general, sewage outfalls and farm waste can be sources of the bacterias getting into rivers, including storm overflows in wet weather. United Utilities (UU) has been making the news for increased sewage spills along with increased profits.

Labour Cllr Lee Jameson, Ribble Valley Council Opposition leader, said: "Given the leader’s very welcome statement the River Ribble at Edisford Bridge would be cleaned up and made safe for bathers, and recent media reports confirming bathing status had been achieved, bearing in mind United Utilities’ appalling pollution record, can the leader confirm the river is still safe to bathe at Edisford and that this will this continue to be case up to and beyond September 30, the season end?

Borough Tory leader Cllr Stephen Atkinson said: “It is important to note designated status does not guarantee water is clean at any particular time. But it does go a long way to improving the water quality.

“It ensures regular water monitoring by the EA and could result in action by the agency, in order to meet bathing water regulations. This action can involve working with local businesses and farms. to ensure no further contamination takes place.

“Importantly, information about water quality at Edisford will be displayed at the site and shared on the EA website. A link to this will also be put on the council’s website. This will be done as soon as we received the first test results from the EA.

“Designated status does not guarantee the water is completely clean up to September 30. But it does guarantee water will now be regularly tested and appropriate action could be taken by the EA, if it is contaminated.”

In recent times, UU has announced investment plans for waste-water treatment sites at Chipping Brook, as part of wider projects to address water entering the River Calder and Pendle Water, which feed into the Ribble, and to reduce the number of storm overflows.

The firm also say it is investing nearly £14bn to create cleaner rivers, more reliable water supplies and extra support for customers struggling with water bills.

The River Ribble Trust secured the designation for the river at Edisford.  Last summer it funded its own water samples, testing five river sites upstream and downstream of Edisford Bridge. Results showed water quality met the minimum standard for bathing ‘throughout most of the summer'.