Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Health Secretary in the Trump administration, has sparked controversy by posting photos of himself and his grandchildren swimming in Rock Creek, a Washington D.C. waterway that’s been under a federal swimming ban for over 50 years due to high bacterial contamination.

The Controversy:

– Kennedy shared photos on social media of himself and his grandkids swimming in Rock Creek, despite warnings from the National Park Service and DC Water and Sewer Authority about the creek’s poor water quality.

– The creek receives an estimated 40 million gallons of untreated sewage and stormwater overflow annually, leading to “chronic elevated levels” of E. coli and fecal contamination.

– A tunnel project is currently underway to reduce waste flow into the creek.

Public Health Concerns:

– The Environmental Protection Agency has classified Rock Creek as having “fecal contamination” from sewage discharge, which worsens during rainstorms.

– Swimming in Rock Creek poses health risks, including infections and illnesses from bacteria and other pathogens ¹.