Open water swimmers fight to keep pollution out of the River Avon 

The River Avon runs through Bristol, England, where there’s a dedicated community of open water swimmers who swim in the river. Some do it all year long.

Sewer overflows run into the river, especially after rainstorms, polluting the water. A group of swimmers is campaigning for the Avon to get bathing status by the British government, which would mean the water would be regularly tested for pollutants and dumping to ensure they’re kept clean enough to be safe for swimmers.

Charlotte Sawyer tells the story of the swimmers and activists fighting to protect the river in the documentary “Rave on for the Avon.” Here & Now‘s Scott Tong speaks with Sawyer and Megan Ruth-Trump, one of the swimmers and activists in the film.

This article was originally published on WBUR.org.