U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently posted images of himself swimming in Washington, D.C.’s Rock Creek alongside his grandchildren, despite longstanding federal advisories warning the public to avoid contact with the water due to high levels of bacterial contamination.
Kennedy, 71, shared photos on social media documenting a family outing on Mother’s Day in Dumbarton Oaks Park. The images depict him wading and fully submerged in the shallow creek, accompanied by his grandchildren.
However, the National Park Service (NPS) has consistently cautioned the public against swimming or wading in Rock Creek, citing serious health risks. According to NPS guidance, the creek contains elevated levels of harmful bacteria and pathogens, posing dangers to both human and animal health. The agency also notes that avoiding contact with the water helps preserve the local ecosystem, reducing erosion and preventing harm to wildlife.
Swimming in natural waterways within Washington, D.C. has been officially prohibited for over five decades due to persistent pollution issues. The Environmental Protection Agency has identified Rock Creek as containing fecal contaminants, including dangerous bacteria such as E. coli, stemming largely from sewage runoff and stormwater discharges.
Despite visible signage and federal warnings in the area, some individuals continue to engage in recreational activity in the creek.
Source: ABC News
