New York’s Harlem River Swimming Plan Sounds Great—Until You Hear About the Sewage Problem

So the city wants people to swim in the Harlem River. That’s the big announcement making waves right now. Sounds awesome, right? More green space, something fun for the community—what’s not to love? Well, here’s the thing: the river’s still full of sewage. And not just a little. We’re talking billions of gallons every year. Yeah. Not exactly pool-party material.

What’s This Plan All About Anyway?

Local officials and activists are pushing hard for this. The idea’s simple: take a neglected waterway and turn it into something people can actually use. I get the appeal—especially for neighborhoods that don’t have many options for outdoor swimming. But let’s be real: you can’t just declare a river “swimmable” because it sounds good on paper. There are actual tests happening, sure, but here’s what bugs me: nobody’s talking about the elephant in the room.

The Real Problem Nobody Wants to Fix

Here’s how bad it is. Every time it rains hard—and I mean just a regular NYC downpour—the old sewer systems can’t handle it. So what happens? All that untreated waste goes straight into the river. We’re talking 2 billion gallons annually. Let that number sink in for a second. That’s not just dirty water—it’s everything you flush down your toilet mixed with street runoff and who knows what else. You wouldn’t let your kid swim in that, would you?

And the health risks? Nasty stuff. E. coli infections are just the start. Long-term, we’re looking at serious environmental justice issues for the folks living nearby. Which brings me to my next point…

This Isn’t Just About Water Quality—It’s About Who Suffers

Here’s the pattern you’ll see if you look at any polluted waterway in America: the worst effects always hit the same communities. Low-income areas. Minority neighborhoods. Places where people don’t have the political clout to demand better. The Harlem River’s no different. It’s been this way for decades, and honestly? That’s the part that makes me angriest.

Remember that old EPA report from the 70s? Yeah, they were warning about this exact problem back then. Fast forward fifty years, and what’s changed? Not much. Just more promises, more studies, while the same pipes keep dumping the same crap into the same river.

What the Experts Are Saying (And Why You Should Listen)

I talked to a couple environmental folks about this. One put it perfectly: “This is like putting a diving board on a septic tank.” Scientists say the same thing—water tests alone won’t cut it. The infrastructure needs a complete overhaul. And until that happens? Swimming here is just asking for trouble.

So What’s the Solution?

Look, I’m not against the idea in theory. Cities should have clean, accessible waterways. But you’ve got to fix the pipes first. Green infrastructure would help—things like rain gardens and permeable pavement that reduce runoff. Modernizing the sewer system’s a must. And maybe—just maybe—hold polluters accountable for once?

Until then, this whole swimming plan feels like one of those Instagram filters that makes everything look perfect while hiding the mess underneath. Pretty picture, ugly reality.

Bottom Line

Here’s where I land on this: great idea, terrible timing. You can’t ask people to swim in a river that still gets used as a toilet. Especially not when it’s always the same communities bearing the brunt of these bad decisions. Clean the water properly first. Then we’ll talk about swimming lessons.

Because here’s the truth—access to nature shouldn’t come with a side of bacterial infection. That’s not progress. That’s just another broken promise.