Should you swim in Pittsburgh’s rivers? A water researcher breaks down the answer

A newly drafted Pittsburgh Steelers player asked whether the city’s rivers are safe for swimming. A water researcher explains what ‘swimmable’ really means regarding the three rivers.

By: Daniel Bain, University of Pittsburgh, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: June 22, 2026

Words: 988

Last Updated: 1 month ago

Body Text Preview

By Daniel Bain, University of Pittsburgh

In May, newly drafted Pittsburgh Steelers offensive guard Gennings Dunker amused Pittsburgh residents during a news segment, asking whether it was OK to swim in the rivers or eat the fish he planned to catch.

The live reaction – surprise, laughter and more than a little uncertainty about the right answer – revealed something the Pittsburgh Water Collaboratory encounters regularly in its public outreach: Many Pittsburghers aren’t …

Create a free account to access this story and more

Join Plucky Wire to access full stories, collaborate with newsrooms, and discover content from networks around the world.

About

FAQ

Email Us