Swimming in Urban Rivers Isn’t Worth It

Many people swim in urban city rivers, while many do not. Let’s face it — is swimming in urban rivers safe? I would not swim in an urban river, and here’s why.

Swimming in rivers has their benefits, but those benefits are common elsewhere. Also, many forget to consider the degree of benefit. Other activities may offer a larger benefit, although both provide that benefit. It may seemingly be great to swim in urban rivers, but it’s definitely not worth it.

An example of why not to swim in urban rivers is the Seine River in Paris, France.

According to “Paris Reopens Seine River for Public Swimming” by Muscat Daily, “Authorities said lifeguards would assess visitors’ swimming abilities, particularly due to strong currents, an average depth of 3.5 metres (11 feet) and boat traffic.”

Muscat Daily also said, “During the games, the river hosted the triathlon swimming legs and open water swimming events. However, the swims weren’t without controversy, as some athletes fell sick afterward,” demonstrating it’s still not safe to swim in the river.

According to the BBC News in their article “Paris opens river Seine for public swimming after 100-year ban,” the river contained Escherichia coli (E.coli) and enterococci, both dangerous bacteria.

According to Le Monde in their article “Seine reopens to Paris swimmers after century-long ban,” “But officials reminded swimmers of potential dangers, including strong currents, boat traffic, and an average depth of 3.5 metres (11 feet). ‘The Seine remains a dangerous environment,’ said local official Elise Lavielle … lifeguards will assess visitors’ swimming abilities before allowing independent access,” making it too much of a hassle.

The mentioned depth is dangerous, and is over the average maximum of most pools. The pure thought of swimming somewhere with such a depth is haunting.

The depth adds up with hidden threats: twigs with dead bugs and lichen on it, plastic bags covered in mud, an oily green skin of scum, a grimy and moldy pizza that’s an eyesore, nose-pinching smelly stinky sewage, who knows? These threats may not be in every river, but you can never be sure. What if there’s a harmful algae bloom that you can’t see since the water is so dark?

These issues get worse when you consider rain. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (the EPA) in their article “Urbanization and Stormwater Runoff,” “Runoff can pick up and deposit harmful pollutants like trash, chemicals, and dirt/sediment into streams, lakes, and groundwater.”

Some people may believe that swimming in urban rivers is good physically, and helps you exercise, as well as improve mental health. This is true, but this benefit isn’t unique.

Swimming in pools is better, since you can easily exit the water, unlike rivers, which can have muddy and slippery banks. Plus, pools are shallower and use chlorine, making them sanitary.

An alternative to swimming for mental health would be sitting down and reading a book, which is also meditative, or painting out the river with watercolors, instead of swimming in it.

Another reason people might want to swim in rivers is since it’s just fun and exciting. Something I find more fun and exciting than swimming in rivers is going to a park, or playing board games. Many things are less dangerous, mentally demanding, and more enjoyable. Think about it: playing strategy-based board games can build up your problem solving skills, making it a more happy time in which you also learn.

There are so many things that have more benefits, so why swim in rivers?

If I were to visit Paris, I would rather read a book while enjoying a lukewarm crêpe instead of swimming in the Seine River. There’s much better ways to spend your time than swimming in public rivers, like doing a puzzle with your family.

So next time you consider swimming in an urban river, remind yourself of an insanitary petri-dish with obstacles bobbing up and down.

Resources:

“Urbanization and Stormwater Runoff,” U.S. EPA, January 16, 2025, https://www.epa.gov/sourcewaterprotection/urbanization-and-stormwater-runoff

“Paris opens river Seine for public swimming after 100-year ban,” BBC News, July 6, 2025, https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/articles/clyz91nld28o

“Paris reopens Seine River for public swimming,” Muscat Daily, July 5, 2025, https://www.muscatdaily.com/2025/07/05/paris-reopens-seine-river-for-public-swimming/#:~:text=The%20swimming%20zones%20also%20have,lift%20the%20ban%20on%20bathing?

“Seine reopens to Paris swimmers after century-long ban,” Le Monde, July 5, 2025, https://www.lemonde.fr/en/france/article/2025/07/05/seine-reopens-to-paris-swimmers-after-century-long-ban_6743058_7.html#

Word count: 712