Is it safe to swim in the Delaware River in the Philly/Camden area?

WHYY provides a 3 minute overview of the issues around redesignating this section of the river for primary contact, which includes swimming. Lisa Himber, Executive Director of the Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River and Bay, explains some of the risks: “Mariners aboard commercial vessels cannot necessarily see a swimmer or personal craft operator even at short distances and may not be able to take evasive action if they do,” wrote Himber to Philadelphia City Council.

DRBC spokesperson Kate Schmidt said bacteria in the river come from raw sewage from the city’s system of combined sewer overflows and feces from wildlife including geese and dogs, as well as stormwater runoff.