Enterococcus Count and Water Quality

[coppertop]

Is anyone concerned about water quality?  I went on the www.riverkeeper.org site and found this disturbing data:  http://www.riverkeeper.org/special/swimmableriver/data.php?id=28E

On Aug. 22 (last sample) the count was in the red zone at 8664.  Last year on swim day it was in the red zone at only 627.

Anyone have thoughts/fears on this?

[pctall]

I just read your entry.  It is very concerning.  If in fact the colony count is that high the water is not acceptable to swim in according to the EPA. Is that your understanding?

[coppertop]

That is my understanding.  I would think that if it is that bad, the race organizers would either cancel the swim or post a warnnig to swim at your own risk.  I'm on the fence.  What do you think?  Anyone else have thoughts?

[pctall]

What I plan to do is go tomorrow and see what the organizer's thought s are on this. August 22 is a few weeks ago and thewater changes all the time. There has been so much rain the last few days I cannot imagine that does not have an effect on the colony count. Are you planning on still swimming?

[chillcop]

Dear Coppertop,

We addressed the water quality at the swim safety meeting on Wednesday night. The water is tested every few weeks as noted in the Riverkeeper data on their site. We advise folks that if you have a weakened auto immune system and the water quality has the potential for higher than normal counts you may want to consider not swimming, the choice is yours. The swim last year was held on September 9th and the water sample was taken two days prior to the swim. The counts were high due to tropical storm Hanna which produced 4 plus inches of rain on several days.

To my knowledge, no one got sick after last years swim and if so it was not reported to us. Moreover, I have not had anyone report to me over the past 18 years that they were made sick by swimming in the Hudson during our swim.

I hope to see you at the swim.

Sincerely,
Dennis Chillemi
Founder, Hudson River Swim for Life