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Pittsburgh Rivers: Swim Alert!
5 Jul
Summary
- Rivers may contain raw sewage after rainfall events.
- Abandoned mine runoff also present in Pittsburgh rivers.
- Safe swimming is advised 48 hours post-storm.
Jumping into Pittsburgh's rivers this summer might expose swimmers to raw sewage and runoff from abandoned mines. Daniel Bain, an associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh, highlights that hundreds of sewer overflow points exist along the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio rivers.
Even a tenth of an inch of rainfall, as noted by ALCOSAN, can trigger overflows of stormwater and raw sewage. This contamination renders the rivers unsafe for swimming for at least 48 hours after a storm. While fish populations have significantly increased since the 1970s due to improved water quality efforts, human swimmers should exercise caution.
For those seeking aquatic recreation, Pittsburgh offers public pools that opened on June 15, along with indoor pools and spray parks. The city's website provides details on hours and locations for these safer alternatives.
