Op-Ed: “A Swimmable Charles River? It’s possible.” (Boston Globe)

“In January, the city of Portland, Ore., celebrated a significant milestone: one full year without any sewage discharges into the Willamette River. City dwellers can now safely paddle and even swim in their urban river.

Meanwhile, here in Massachusetts, the Charles River suffers sewage discharges with every large rainstorm, spreading bacteria and pathogens. In just the past two years, more than 100 million gallons of sewage flowed into the river from 63 storm events. Swimming is prohibited except by special permit, and even rowers, paddlers, and sailors are warned to stay out of the water for 48 hours after a sewage discharge.”