A momentous scene unfolded September 21, 2025, when over 250 people plunged into the Chicago River—the first official open-water swim in nearly a century. Beyond the spectacle lies a surge of health promise, environmental warning, and a legacy in the making.
What changed since 1927 that made this possible
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Infrastructure overhauls: Major investments in sewage treatment and stormwater control—especially the city’s tunnel and reservoir system—have reduced raw sewage overflows significantly. Experts said these upgrades were essential.
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Water quality monitoring: For weeks before the swim, scientists tested for bacteria and found values well under safety thresholds used for beaches and open-water recreation.
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Shifting perception and policy: The river, long dismissed as a dumping ground, has been reframed as a public resource. Local campaigns pushed for legal standards and recreational access.
Who gains and who still has risks
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Pleasure swimmers, local communities, and wildlife are clear winners: cleaner water, renewed access, and a morale boost for the city.
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But risks remain: heavy rainfall can still trigger pollution events, and the long-term impact of industrial runoff or chemical contamination is less well understood. Officials said vigilance must continue.
“This is a really monumental day for the city of Chicago and for the Chicago River system. This demonstrates that we have invested in clean water public access, and that the future of our river is swimming and recreation.” — Margaret Frisbie, Executive Director of Friends of the Chicago River
A brief of Sunday’s swim and what it revealed
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Event scale: About 263 athletes competed in 1-mile and 2-mile courses along the downtown river branch.
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Participants: Elite swimmers, local athletes, and fundraisers joined, including an Olympic medalist and community advocates.
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Conditions: Cloudy skies and chilly air framed the event, but water tests confirmed safe levels, while kayakers and lifeguards closely monitored the course.
What this means for health, wildlife and urban legacy
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Public health: Cleaner water reduces infections and health risks, and regular monitoring could allow future designated swim zones.
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Wildlife revival: Fish, turtles, and aquatic birds are returning to habitats once too polluted to sustain them.
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City identity and legacy: Chicago may rewrite its reputation—from industrial pollution and a “stinking river” past to a city with swimmable urban waterways. The symbolic contrast isn’t lost on locals who once warned visitors to avoid even touching the water.
What remains unresolved and urgent
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Can water quality hold up year-round, especially after storms?
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Are legacy pollutants in river sediments still a hidden danger?
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Will this event become annual tradition or a one-off milestone? Organizers hope for repeat swims, but skeptics warn against complacency.
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SOURCES
https://insideclimatenews.org/news/21092025/a-really-monumental-day-for-chicago-river-clean-enough-for-hundreds-to-swim-in/
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/chicago-river-hosts-open-swim/
https://abc7chicago.com/post/chicago-river-swim-returns-century-raises-funds-als-research-uic-says-is-safe/17859879
Jessica Morrison is a seasoned entertainment writer with over a decade of experience covering television, film, and pop culture. After earning a degree in journalism from New York University, she worked as a freelance writer for various entertainment magazines before joining red94.net. Her expertise lies in analyzing television series, from groundbreaking dramas to light-hearted comedies, and she often provides in-depth reviews and industry insights. Outside of writing, Jessica is an avid film buff and enjoys discovering new indie movies at local festivals.