Swimming Etiquette After Rain

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Photo by dronepicr.

Coming off the tail of Elsa, many of us wonder, “Why can’t I swim in Long Island Sound after it rains?”

As a child, I despised rainstorms during the summer months. I didn’t realize how healing and helpful the rain can be for plants, animals, soil, and the like. All I understood at that age was, the day after a big storm I couldn’t swim in Long Island Sound, and I hated that. 

So, what’s the deal with the rain?

Bigger storms cause stormwater runoffs and sewer overflows which make it possible for street oils, rubbish, and even untreated wastewater to enter LIS. This leads to a higher possibility that bacteria from this overflow will be in our precious swimming areas which in turn puts the health of our community and our wildlife at risk. 

Save the Sound is an incredible nonprofit organization that stands to protect Long Island Sound among many other important and noble endeavors. They are calling on elected officials to invest additional resources in repairs and improvements to sewer lines and stormwater systems, which impact beach water quality after heavy and even moderate rain. 

Soooo…. Most importantly, when can we swim again after a big storm?! You can most likely enter the water safely 24hrs after a storm, but this helpful website: https://www.greenwichct.gov/657/Beach-Swimming-Status​ will take the guess work out for you and let you know when we have the “okay” to get back in and enjoy The Sound. Safe swimming everyone! 

- Kelly McQuade, 2021 Seaside Center Naturalist