The Cooks River in Sydney has been variously described as an open sewer, the River of Death, and one of Australia's most polluted rivers. Yet there are plans - possibly rather hopeful plans - to bring swimming back to the river. There are numerous such rivers in cities around the world, so how realistic is the idea that you could bring swimming back to polluted city rivers? Could ex-industrial rivers join the oceans (and dams) of Australia as recreational swimming spots?
Professor Stuart Khan from the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UNSW studies sustainable urban water management, and has studied chemical composition of the Cooks River, and how the pollutants got there. He thinks that, whilst it may be a long way off, there are precedents around the world for bringing back swimming to polluted rivers.
You can read more on efforts to remediate the Cooks River at the Cooks River Valley Association.
Songs in this episode - all licensed under a Creative Commons License
Ocean swimming... and biomechanics
Ocean swimming... and connecting with blue spaces
Ocean swimming... and culture, inclusion and society
Ocean swimming... and germs
Ocean swimming... and a healthy brain
Ocean swimming... and swimmer’s ear
Ocean swimming... Alcatraz (part 2)
Ocean swimming... with Andy Donaldson
Ocean swimming... Alcatraz (part 1)
Ocean swimming... with Peta Bradley, World Ice Swimming Champion
Ocean swimming... with Lynne Cox
Ocean swimming... and seaweed textiles
Ocean swimming... butterfly
Ocean swimming... around Lord Howe Island
Ocean swimming... with Brendan Cullen
Ocean swimming... with Peter Hancock
Ocean swimming... with Jaimee Rogers
Ocean swimming... in the nude
Ocean swimming... in La Nina
Ocean swimming... and Australian beach history
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