The Delaware River between North Philadelphia and Chester is the only portion designated only for secondary recreation, such as boating and fishing, which involves limited contact with surface waters. This designation significantly reduces recreational opportunities for communities of color, as this stretch runs through Philadelphia, Camden, and Chester—areas that are among the most diverse, impoverished, and densely populated along the river. One of the main issues affecting this stretch of the river is bacterial pollution, primarily due to Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) in Philadelphia. This pollution poses a significant health risk, preventing safe recreational use of the waterways immediately following storms.
To address this issue, Riverways, an organization dedicated to promoting recreational boating for youth and their communities in Philadelphia and Camden, launched its Water Quality Testing program in 2022. The program aims to provide the necessary data to drive decision-making and improve water quality. Riverways staff and organizational members conduct weekly water quality tests during the boating season, analyzing bacterial colony counts from water samples. Students play a crucial role in this program, working closely with staff each summer to implement the regional water quality monitoring program. They also support community boating and fishing days as guides, helping to foster a connection between the community and the river.
Riverways’ member organizations, including Bartram’s Garden, Center for Aquatic Sciences, Discovery Pathways, Glen Foerd, LandHealth Institute, and UrbanPromise, collaborate to operate these programs. The findings from bacterial indicator sampling in 2023 and 2024 highlight the risks to recreators and the impact on public paddling programs. Addressing the issue of CSOs in Philadelphia is essential to improving water quality and expanding recreational opportunities for these communities. By involving the community and providing valuable data, Riverways is working towards a safer and more inclusive environment for recreational activities along the Delaware River.