Testing Shows High Levels of Bacteria in Chicago River

CHICAGO (AP) – Testing by the Cook County agency handling sewage and stormwater shows high levels of bacteria from human waste at more than a dozen spots along the Chicago River.
The Chicago Tribune  reports that the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District found that levels of disease-causing germs in the river routinely exceed state standards for recreational waterways.

New disinfection equipment will be installed next summer in an effort to make the river safer. But city officials don’t plan to begin informing the public about potential health threats in the Chicago River, like they do with Lake Michigan beaches.

John Quail is the director of watershed planning at Friends of the Chicago River, a local nonprofit dedicated to revitalizing the waterway. He says the public needs to know what’s in the river.

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