The Anacostia Watershed Society, a nonprofit that has monitored the Anacostia River for more than two decades, released its latest State of the River Report Card on Tuesday. For the first time in the report’s history, the river received a passing grade – a C‑minus – after years of failing marks.
Progress measured in letters
Founded in 1989, the Society began intensive water‑quality testing in 2002 and issued its inaugural report card in 2014, when the river earned a failing grade. Christopher E. Williams, the organization’s president and CEO, likened the river’s trajectory to that of a student who has struggled academically but is now climbing the grade scale.
“When a student who has been having troubles and consistently failing gets a C‑minus, you say two things,” Williams told WTOP. “One, that’s fabulous. The second, let’s keep working and get it up to an A.”
Key indicators show steady gains
The report grades several metrics, including storm‑water runoff, chlorophyll‑a levels, fecal bacteria counts, and dissolved‑oxygen concentrations. Williams said “virtually all” of these indicators have improved over the past twenty years.
Fecal bacteria remain the biggest hurdle to a swimmable river. “That’s the real obstacle to a swimmable Anacostia River. That’s one we need to continue to work to improve,” he explained.
Fish and wildlife also depend on higher dissolved‑oxygen levels. While those numbers are rising, Williams emphasized the need for continued effort: “It’s improving, but we need to keep pushing to improve it even more.”
Community effort behind the gains
The Society attributes the progress to sustained volunteer work, community involvement, and cooperation with local agencies. Over the decades, volunteers have collected samples, reported pollution sources, and advocated for better storm‑water management.
Williams cautioned that the river’s recovery is a long‑term process. “It’s important that people understand this is a lengthy process. We’re moving toward a river that is fishable and swimmable and that is a healthy river ecosystem,” he said.
Looking ahead
While swimming in the Anacostia is not yet advised, the Society believes it could become a realistic option within a few years if current trends continue. The report card serves both as a celebration of progress and a roadmap for the work still needed to achieve an “A” grade and fully restore the river for recreation and wildlife.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
