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The Agency found only 5 out of 6114 rivers it surveyed in the UK are clean but none of the 5 which meet agreed common European standards are in Kent or Medway.

Dr Geoff Meaden, geographer and specialist on Kent’s water resources, said: "At times of low rainfall up to 70% of the water in the mid Stour between Ashford and Canterbury has passed through the Ashford sewage plant. Chemicals such as oestrogen are not filtered out, and they severely affect wildlife.

“Similarly, the River Medway has badly polluted stretches. The Government is committed to meet the target of 95% of rivers meeting agreed European “good” or “very good” standards by 2015, but it will have its work cut out to achieve this.

“Factors affecting pollution of rivers in Kent and Medway include sewage run-off, reduced summer rainfall, poor farming practices, and the heavy demand for drinking water. If we don’t clean up the rivers, a variety of species will be damaged, or will not return to our rivers. This would include species such as the otter, kingfishers and water voles.

“Kent County Council needs to adjust the Kent Environment Strategy and use available resources to assist in the clean-up of our rivers,” Dr Meaden said.