Sensors provide a real-time glimpse at Chicago River quality

CHICAGO — Rowers, kayakers and other users of the Chicago River are getting a real-time look at one measure of water quality in the system that weaves through downtown and several neighborhoods. Chicago nonprofit Current in 2019 installed three sensors in the river’s three main branches to continuously estimate the amount of bacteria from human and other warm-blooded animals’ waste. “And that’s the important story for users who are making decisions about how to use the river on a day-to-day basis.” A kayaker, for instance, may decide to use the river’s main branch instead of the southern or northern branch if those sensors estimate a level of bacteria above the state standard for safe recreational use, she said. Doug McConnell, co-founder of the nonprofit A Long Swim that raises money toward Lou Gehrig’s disease research, for several years has been seeking city approval for a river swim.