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River Swim: Water Purity Beats Rain Fears
17 Sep
Summary
- Chicago River swim ensures safety through real-time monitoring and lab testing.
- Water samples consistently show bacteria levels well below health thresholds.
- Despite rain concerns, recent testing indicates low risk for the downtown river section.
This weekend, hundreds of participants are slated to take part in the Chicago River Swim, an event dedicated to raising funds for ALS research and swim lessons. To guarantee the safety of participants, organizers have implemented a comprehensive water quality monitoring program.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago are conducting meticulous lab tests, including filtering bacteria concentrates and analyzing DNA, to measure contamination levels. These daily assessments have consistently revealed that the water quality remains well within the established health and safety thresholds.
Although rain can elevate bacteria counts, recent data shows that even with a wet summer, the river's main channel downtown is deemed low risk. Testing sites along the course have shown good results, with only an estimated 3% of samples exceeding safety limits throughout the season.
Weekend festivities commence Friday with 'The Big Jump,' leading up to the main swim event on Sunday. Over 500 swimmers have already registered, with applications still open for those who can demonstrate strong open-water swimming capabilities.
