Lots of talk these days about stripping the budget of the EPA... some would even nix the agency altogether.
Since swimming in polluted water is certainly a safety issue, I think this is a topic that should transcend politics (but what do I know?)
Should USMS add a statement of support for a healthy aquatic world to the mission?
As one who spends a hell of a lot of time in bodies of water that were much more compromised two decades ago than they are today, its easy to guess where I stand. Much progress has been made toward restoring the health of our waterways, but there is a long way to go.
Former Member
i say no, the organizers should not be liable.
I say yes.
Even with a business that is running a private profitable event?
How about if the for profit event violates government standards?
How about a government run event?
I couldn't imagine a marathon being staged when the organizers knew that the runners would be exposed to toxic compounds.
I say yes.
Even with a business that is running a private profitable event?
How about if the for profit event violates government standards?
How about a government run event?
I couldn't imagine a marathon being staged when the organizers knew that the runners would be exposed to toxic compounds.
has there never been a marathon held during an ozone alert? smog? etc?
as per the last sentence of my last post: "they can only rely on information received from govt or environmental orgs."
what race director do you imagine would have the resources to do comprehensive labs before an event?
The problem is that agencies (state and local), and event organizers don't want to know the results. I understand the concern. It is money.
i think this issue is less about the cost of testing the water, but rather the possible liability event directors might be exposed to.
if said event directors were somehow required to certify water quality for the duration of an event, who would take on that responsibility?
i've signed all kinds of wavers that cover possible exposure to everything from brain eating amoeba to sharks to flotsam and jetsam to ........
all risk of exposure cannot possibly be avoided in OW.
I don't think I would ever sign one for brain eating sharks.
Liability is the issue, not swimmer safety. I have been at an event that was canceled due to big surf. I was sad as I like (scared) big surf. But I understood.
USMS should lead the way for this aspect of swimmer safety. As I said, I don't have the answer. Just food for thought.
Don't drink the water.
what race director do you imagine would have the resources to do comprehensive labs before an event?
Water testing isn't difficult. The Surfrider Foundation will help anyone. It is not a comprehensive lab.
In San Diego, the County Department of Health is quite pro-active. I have asked them to test and they have done it for free. If the county wishes to charge, the for-profit event should absorb the fee. It should be part of the permit process.
The problem is that agencies (state and local), and event organizers don't want to know the results. I understand the concern. It is money.
In addition to other open water swims, I swim in the Great Ohio River Swim in Cincinnati annually. In addition to being a fun event, I do so to do my part in improving the image of the Ohio River as a spot for recreation. I think too many area residents have dismissed it as a cess pool for so long, they don't take interest in issues that affect the water quality of the river. Truthfully, it's not pretty especially near the shore, and 3 years ago, the event was postponed when heavy rains raised the fecal count in the water.
As open water swimming grows in popularity with more and more USMS sanctioned events, I find it natural that USMS would take a stand for clean water.
