The water quality of the Old Bedford River and River Delph, which includes the Ouse Washes, was as follows in 2019. Section Ecological Status Chemical Status Length Catchment Channel artificial The water quality in the river has deteriorated since 2014, when it was rated good for ecological status. This is partly due to the fact that dissolved oxygen levels are now included in the assessment. Other reasons for the quality being less than good are low flow and physical modification of the channel, which is managed for flood protection. Both of these factors affect fish populations within the river. Like most rivers in the UK, the chemical status changed from good to fail in 2019, due to the presence of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), perfluorooctane sulphonate (PFOS) and mercury compounds, none of which had previously been included in the assessment.
the water quality of the old bedford river and river delph which includes the ouse washes was as follows in 2019 section ecological status chemical status length catchment channel artificial the water quality in the river has deteriorated since 2014 when it was rated good for ecological status this is partly due to the fact that dissolved oxygen levels are now included in the assessment other reasons for the quality being less than good are low flow and physical modification of the channel which is managed for flood protection both of these factors affect fish populations within the river like most rivers in the uk the chemical status changed from good to fail in 2019 due to the presence of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (pbde) perfluorooctane sulphonate (pfos) and mercury compounds none of which had previously been included in the assessment