THAMES MIDDLE Water Body
Moderate ecological status
Get THAMES MIDDLE data
Attributes
- Water Body IDGB530603911402
- Water Body TypeTransitional Water
- Hydromorphological designationheavily modified
- NGRTQ3295080508
- Surveillance Water BodyYes
- Surface area44.161 km2
- Surface area4416.09 ha
Classifications
| Classification Item | 2019 |
|---|---|
| Ecological | Moderate |
| Biological quality elements | Moderate |
| Angiosperms | Moderate |
| Saltmarsh | Moderate |
| Fish | Good |
| Invertebrates | Good |
| Infaunal Quality Index | Good |
| Macroalgae | Good |
| Fucoid Extent | Good |
| Opportunistic Macroalgae | High |
| Phytoplankton | Good |
| Physico-chemical quality elements | Moderate |
| Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen | Moderate |
| Dissolved oxygen | Good |
| Supporting elements (Surface Water) | Moderate |
| Mitigation Measures Assessment | Moderate or less |
| Specific pollutants | Moderate |
| 2,4-dichlorophenol | High |
| 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid | High |
| Arsenic | High |
| Chlorothalonil | High |
| Chromium (VI) | High |
| Copper | High |
| Diazinon | High |
| Dimethoate | High |
| Iron | High |
| Linuron | High |
| Mecoprop | High |
| Pendimethalin | High |
| Permethrin | High |
| Phenol | High |
| Toluene | High |
| Triclosan | High |
| Un-ionised ammonia | High |
| Zinc | Moderate |
| Chemical | Fail |
| Priority hazardous substances | Fail |
| Anthracene | Good |
| Benzo(a)pyrene | Fail |
| Benzo(b)fluoranthene | Fail |
| Benzo(g-h-i)perylene | Fail |
| Benzo(k)fluoranthene | Good |
| Cadmium and Its Compounds | Good |
| Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (Priority hazardous) | Good |
| Dioxins and dioxin-like compounds | Good |
| Endosulfan | Good |
| Heptachlor and cis-Heptachlor epoxide | Good |
| Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) | Good |
| Hexachlorobenzene | Good |
| Hexachlorobutadiene | Good |
| Hexachlorocyclohexane | Good |
| Mercury and Its Compounds | Fail |
| Nonylphenol | Good |
| Pentachlorobenzene | Good |
| Perfluorooctane sulphonate (PFOS) | Fail |
| Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) | Fail |
| Quinoxyfen | Good |
| Tributyltin Compounds | Fail |
| Trifluralin (Priority hazardous) | Good |
| Priority substances | Good |
| 1,2-dichloroethane | Good |
| Aclonifen | Good |
| Alachlor | Good |
| Atrazine | Good |
| Benzene | Good |
| Bifenox | Good |
| Chlorfenvinphos | Good |
| Chlorpyrifos | Good |
| Cybutryne | Good |
| Dichloromethane | Good |
| Dichlorvos (Priority) | Good |
| Diuron | Good |
| Fluoranthene | Good |
| Isoproturon | Good |
| Lead and Its Compounds | Good |
| Napthalene | Good |
| Nickel and Its Compounds | Good |
| Octylphenol | Good |
| Pentachlorophenol | Good |
| Simazine | Good |
| Terbutryn | Good |
| Trichlorobenzenes | Good |
| Trichloromethane | Good |
| Other Pollutants | Good |
| Aldrin, Dieldrin, Endrin & Isodrin | Good |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | Good |
| DDT Total | Good |
| Tetrachloroethylene | Good |
| Trichloroethylene | Good |
| para - para DDT | Good |
Investigations into classification status
| Classification Element | Cycle | Year | Status | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invertebrates | 2 | 2014 | Good | Certain there is not a problem |
| Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen | 2 | 2016 | Moderate | Certain there is not a problem |
Reasons for not achieving good (RNAG) and reasons for deterioration (RFD)
All reasons (RFDs and RNAGs) attributed to the classification elements in this water body.
| Reason Type | SWMI | Activity | Category | Classification Element | More information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RNAG | Physical modification | Land drainage - structures | Local and Central Government | Angiosperms | Details |
| RNAG | Point source | Sewage discharge (continuous) | Water Industry | Tributyltin Compounds | Details |
| RNAG | Point source | Landfill leaching | Waste treatment and disposal | Tributyltin Compounds | Details |
| RNAG | Unknown (pending investigation) | Unknown (pending investigation) | Sector under investigation | Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen | Details |
| RNAG | Point source | Contaminated land | Industry | Tributyltin Compounds | Details |
| RNAG | Point source | Use of restricted substance | Navigation | Tributyltin Compounds | Details |
| RNAG | Physical modification | Other (not in list, must add details in comments) | Local and Central Government | Mitigation Measures Assessment | Details |
| RNAG | Unknown (pending investigation) | Unknown (pending investigation) | Sector under investigation | Benzo(g-h-i)perylene | Details |
| RNAG | Diffuse source | Urbanisation - urban development | Urban and transport | Tributyltin Compounds | Details |
| RNAG | Physical modification | Other (not in list, must add details in comments) | Local and Central Government | Mitigation Measures Assessment | Details |
| RNAG | Unknown (pending investigation) | Unknown (pending investigation) | Sector under investigation | Benzo(b)fluoranthene | Details |
| RNAG | Diffuse source | Contaminated water body bed sediments | Urban and transport | Tributyltin Compounds | Details |
| RNAG | Unknown (pending investigation) | Unknown (pending investigation) | Sector under investigation | Perfluorooctane sulphonate (PFOS) | Details |
| RNAG | measures delivered to address reason, awaiting recovery | Not applicable | No sector responsible | Mercury and Its Compounds | Details |
| RNAG | measures delivered to address reason, awaiting recovery | Not applicable | No sector responsible | Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) | Details |
| RFD | High to Good deterioration, no action required (RFD only) | Not applicable | No sector responsible | Phytoplankton | Details |
| RNAG | Unknown (pending investigation) | Unknown (pending investigation) | Sector under investigation | Zinc | Details |
Reasons for not achieving good status by business sector
The issues preventing waters reaching good status and the sectors identified as contributing to them. The numbers in the table are individual counts of the reasons for not achieving good status with a confidence status of 'confirmed' and 'probable', where the latest classification is less than good status. There may be more than one reason in a single water body. Note, table does not include reasons for deterioration.
| Significant water management issue | Physical modifications | Pollution from waste water | Pollution from towns, cities and transport | Changes to the natural flow and level of water | Invasive non-native species | Pollution from rural areas | Pollution from abandoned mines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture and rural land management | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Industry | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mining and quarrying | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Navigation | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Urban and transport | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Water Industry | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Local & central government | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Domestic general public | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Recreation | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Waste treatment and disposal | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| No sector responsible | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sector under investigation | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Objectives
| Classification Item | Status | Year | Reasons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ecological | Moderate | 2015 | Disproportionately expensive: Disproportionate burdens; Disproportionately expensive: Unfavourable balance of costs and benefits; Good status prevented by A/HMWB designated use: Action to get biological element to good would have significant adverse impact on use |
| Biological quality elements | Moderate | 2015 | Good status prevented by A/HMWB designated use: Action to get biological element to good would have significant adverse impact on use |
| Angiosperms | Moderate | 2015 | Good status prevented by A/HMWB designated use: Action to get biological element to good would have significant adverse impact on use |
| Fish | Good | 2015 | |
| Invertebrates | Good | 2015 | |
| Macroalgae | Good | 2015 | |
| Phytoplankton | Good | 2015 | |
| Physico-chemical quality elements | Moderate | 2015 | Disproportionately expensive: Disproportionate burdens; Disproportionately expensive: Unfavourable balance of costs and benefits |
| Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen | Moderate | 2015 | Disproportionately expensive: Unfavourable balance of costs and benefits |
| Dissolved oxygen | Good | 2021 | Disproportionately expensive: Disproportionate burdens |
| Hydromorphological Supporting Elements | Not assessed | 2015 | |
| Supporting elements (Surface Water) | Good | 2027 - Low confidence | Disproportionately expensive: Disproportionate burdens |
| Mitigation Measures Assessment | Good | 2027 - Low confidence | Disproportionately expensive: Disproportionate burdens |
| Specific pollutants | High | 2027 - Low confidence | Disproportionately expensive: Disproportionate burdens |
| 2,4-dichlorophenol | High | 2015 | |
| 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid | High | 2015 | |
| Arsenic | High | 2015 | |
| Chlorothalonil | High | 2015 | |
| Chromium (VI) | High | 2015 | |
| Copper | High | 2015 | |
| Diazinon | High | 2015 | |
| Dimethoate | High | 2015 | |
| Iron | High | 2015 | |
| Linuron | High | 2015 | |
| Mecoprop | High | 2015 | |
| Pendimethalin | High | 2015 | |
| Permethrin | High | 2015 | |
| Phenol | High | 2015 | |
| Toluene | High | 2015 | |
| Triclosan | High | 2015 | |
| Un-ionised ammonia | High | 2015 | |
| Zinc | High | 2027 - Low confidence | Disproportionately expensive: Disproportionate burdens |
| Chemical | Good | 2063 | Disproportionately expensive: Disproportionate burdens; Natural conditions: Chemical status recovery time; Technically infeasible: No known technical solution is available |
| Priority hazardous substances | Good | 2063 | Disproportionately expensive: Disproportionate burdens; Natural conditions: Chemical status recovery time; Technically infeasible: No known technical solution is available |
| Anthracene | Good | 2015 | |
| Benzo(a)pyrene | Good | 2033 | Technically infeasible: No known technical solution is available |
| Benzo(b)fluoranthene | Good | 2033 | Technically infeasible: No known technical solution is available |
| Benzo(g-h-i)perylene | Good | 2033 | Technically infeasible: No known technical solution is available |
| Benzo(k)fluoranthene | Good | 2015 | |
| Cadmium and Its Compounds | Good | 2015 | |
| Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (Priority hazardous) | Good | 2015 | |
| Dioxins and dioxin-like compounds | Good | 2015 | |
| Endosulfan | Good | 2015 | |
| Heptachlor and cis-Heptachlor epoxide | Good | 2015 | |
| Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) | Good | 2015 | |
| Hexachlorobenzene | Good | 2015 | |
| Hexachlorobutadiene | Good | 2015 | |
| Hexachlorocyclohexane | Good | 2015 | |
| Mercury and Its Compounds | Good | 2040 | Natural conditions: Chemical status recovery time |
| Nonylphenol | Good | 2015 | |
| Pentachlorobenzene | Good | 2015 | |
| Perfluorooctane sulphonate (PFOS) | Good | 2039 | Technically infeasible: No known technical solution is available |
| Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) | Good | 2063 | Natural conditions: Chemical status recovery time |
| Quinoxyfen | Good | 2015 | |
| Tributyltin Compounds | Good | 2027 - Low confidence | Disproportionately expensive: Disproportionate burdens |
| Trifluralin (Priority hazardous) | Good | 2015 | |
| Priority substances | Good | 2015 | |
| 1,2-dichloroethane | Good | 2015 | |
| Aclonifen | Good | 2015 | |
| Alachlor | Good | 2015 | |
| Atrazine | Good | 2015 | |
| Benzene | Good | 2015 | |
| Bifenox | Good | 2015 | |
| Chlorfenvinphos | Good | 2015 | |
| Chlorpyrifos | Good | 2015 | |
| Cybutryne | Good | 2015 | |
| Dichloromethane | Good | 2015 | |
| Dichlorvos (Priority) | Good | 2015 | |
| Diuron | Good | 2015 | |
| Fluoranthene | Good | 2015 | |
| Isoproturon | Good | 2015 | |
| Lead and Its Compounds | Good | 2015 | |
| Napthalene | Good | 2015 | |
| Nickel and Its Compounds | Good | 2015 | |
| Octylphenol | Good | 2015 | |
| Pentachlorophenol | Good | 2015 | |
| Simazine | Good | 2015 | |
| Terbutryn | Good | 2015 | |
| Trichlorobenzenes | Good | 2015 | |
| Trichloromethane | Good | 2015 | |
| Other Pollutants | Good | 2015 | |
| Aldrin, Dieldrin, Endrin & Isodrin | Good | 2015 | |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | Good | 2015 | |
| DDT Total | Good | 2015 | |
| Tetrachloroethylene | Good | 2015 | |
| Trichloroethylene | Good | 2015 | |
| para - para DDT | Good | 2015 |
Protected areas
| PA Name | Id | Directive | More information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thames Estuary & Marshes | UK9012021 | Special Protection Area | Natural England |
| Thames Estuary & Marshes | UK11069 | Ramsar Site | Natural England |
| Lea Navigation & River Lee | UKENRI59 | Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive | |
| Thames Middle | UKGB530603911402 | Drinking Water Protected Area |
Monitoring sites which have been used to classify this water body
Shows which sites were used for classification for which years within each cycle.