Boston Celebrates Milestone in Charles River Rehabilitation

For the first time in more than five decades, Boston's Charles River has been deemed clean enough for a swim. The first approved community swim since the 1950s that was held on Saturday represents a milestone for the city's famous "dirty water".

July 15, 2013, 6am PDT | Jonathan Nettler | @nettsj

"Swimming in the Charles River, like playing in the street, is something generations of Boston children have been taught will lead to no good. At the very least, to a tetanus shot," writes Billy Baker.

"But since 1995, when the EPA gave the water quality a grade of D, the health of the river has improved dramatically, rising to a B in 2011, and now meeting the state standards for swimming most days of the summer. The bottom of the river remains a toxic mess, but if a swimmer can get in and out of the water without touching the squishy bottom, no tetanus shot is necessary."

"Over the past eight years, a group called the Charles River Swim Club has hosted a 1-mile race for elite swimmers, but Saturday morning was the first time officials permitted a swim to be held for the general public," notes Baker. "Getting the permit took six months."

Full Story:

Charles River opens for first public swim since the 1950s

Published on Saturday, July 13, 2013 in Boston.com