Extinction Rebellion protesters who floated in the Roman Baths still carried out the act despite being made aware that the water is untreated.

On Friday, Bath Live reported that protesters entered the historic landmark, then proceeded to sing songs, hold up banners and two even entered the murky water as well.

An organiser for the event said that the group took over the Roman Baths for 45 minutes.

He said security attempted to remove the protesters but were unable to due to "peaceful defiance".

Two activists entered the water
Two activists entered the water

Now, Bath and North East Somerset Council have said that they told the protesters that the water is 'untreated' and that swimming in it is 'discouraged'.

A Bath and North East Somerset Council spokeswoman said: "The water in the Great Bath comes from the thermal spring.

"This water is untreated which is why swimming in it is discouraged, and the protesters were made aware of this before they entered the water.

"The water provided for the drinking fountains at the Roman Baths is safe to drink and is regularly tested."

Onlookers could be seen taking pictures
Onlookers could be seen taking pictures

Until 1978, bathers used to take to the waters in Bath once a year as part of the Bath Festival.

The baths were also used for water-cure treatments on the NHS until 1976.

Hamish Evans, a protester and student at Bath University, said: "This action today (Friday, May 17) symbolised the urgency of the ecological crisis whilst also bringing up the looming issues of water shortages, pollution and loss of water sovereignty.

"It is also emblematic of the rising waters which will submerge many major cities by 2050, to add to the millions of climate refugees there are currently."

Swimmers used to bathe in the waters once a year
Swimmers used to bathe in the waters once a year

Another protester and resident, Anna, said: "As a mother, I am really worried about climate change, so I feel the urgent need to engage with environmental activism to protect my child's future.

"This action at an international historic site begs the question of what legacy we will leave in thousands of years."

Why can you not swim in the Roman Baths?

The baths have been closed off to the public since 1978, after a girl who swam in the water died of a meningitis-related illness, according to The Guardian.

Until that point, swimmers used to bathe in the waters once a year as part of the Bath Festival.

After the death, the water in the Baths was found to be polluted.

A dangerous amoeba that can give a form of meningitis was detected, and public bathing was banned on health grounds.

Before then, the baths were even used to provide water-cure treatments on prescription through the NHS, from 1948 until 1976.

Got a view on this or another local news story? Email richard.mills@reachplc.com.

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