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<p>The Environment Agency (EA) undertakes a wide range of monitoring in the River
Thames, including some exploratory monitoring for cocaine, to manage water quality
and inform future regulatory approaches where appropriate.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>
</p><p>The EA is working with Thames Water and other water companies to undertake
extensive investigations to assess a wide range of chemicals entering rivers through
wastewater treatment works. The investigations have shown that wastewater treatment
works significantly reduce the concentrations of many chemicals before they are discharged
to rivers. Although cocaine is not part of these investigations, it is likely that
it will be similarly affected by wastewater treatment.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The
Thames Tideway Tunnel, which is currently in construction and will be operational
by 2023, will significantly reduce the frequency and volume of discharges of storm
sewage and improve water quality in the tidal Thames. This will reduce levels of associated
chemicals in the tidal river.</p><p> </p>
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