Health Secretary’s Mother’s Day Swim in Contaminated Creek Sparks Criticism

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced backlash after he publicly documented a Mother’s Day swim with his grandchildren in Rock Creek, a local waterway known for dangerous bacteria levels due to sewage runoff.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Kennedy shared a photo of the excursion, stating, “Mother’s Day hike in Dumbarton Oaks Park with Amaryllis, Bobby, Kick, and Jackson, and a swim with my grandchildren, Bobcat and Cassius in Rock Creek.” This outing took place despite warnings from health authorities about the risks associated with swimming in the creek.

The National Park Service (NPS) has prohibited swimming and wading in Rock Creek, highlighting that the water contains high levels of E. coli and other pathogens. The NPS website urges visitors to avoid contact with the water, citing potential illness for both humans and pets.

In 2015, the D.C. Department of Energy and Environment found bacteria levels in Rock Creek exceeding 2,420 times the acceptable limit. Recent reports by environmental consultant Marchant Wentworth also confirm that dangerous bacteria levels persist, primarily due to the aging sewage infrastructure leaking into the creek.

Despite significant investments to upgrade the sewage system, including over $2 billion spent as of 2021, health warnings remain active regarding Rock Creek. Wentworth noted, “Large sections of the District’s antiquated sewer system in Rock Creek Park have long outlived their useful lives. Leaks from this antiquated sewer system are polluting Rock Creek and threaten public health.”

Following the criticism of his actions, Kennedy has not made any comment regarding the swim and has not posted again on X.