Anacostia Swim Event Canceled Due to Sewage Overflow

It’s a disappointing (and ironic) development in Washington D.C. The district had advertised a “history making” event scheduled for this past Saturday, the Anacostia River Splash. It was to be the first permitted swim in the Anacostia River in over 50 years.

The river is historically riddled with urban pollution problems, but its health has made strides thanks to the Anacostia Riverkeeper organization, which was putting on Splash.

A DC Citizen Science Water Quality Monitoring Program has found low bacteria levels at key recreation sites on the Anacostia in recent years. The Riverkeeper organized the unprecedented event to celebrate the upturn and give neighbors the chance to enjoy the waterway.

Sadly, before enthusiastic residents had the chance to take their sanctioned swim at Kingman Island, a rainstorm last Thursday triggered a combined sewer overflow. As the Anacostia Riverkeeper explained in a notice postponing the event, a combined sewer…