A few more tidbits keep trickling out about decisions made during the D.C. Council’s action-packed final summer session earlier this week, and this one is ripe for a cascade of debate. Running enthusiast Mayor Adrian Fenty is determined to see the Nation’s Triathlon, scheduled for Sept. 29, go forward this year, complete with a one-mile swim in the Potomac River. Last year, the swim part of the event was canceled after the health department determined the river was too filthy. But Council Member Mary Cheh (D-Ward 3) introduced emergency legislation on the mayor’s behalf Tuesday that will allow a one-day exemption to the law banning swimming in the Potomac for the triathlon. From the Examiner:

Though the bill passed unanimously, some council members scoffed at the notion that the notoriously polluted river could be considered clean enough to swim.

“It never entered my mind that anyone would swim in the Potomac,” said Council Member Jim Graham, D-Ward 1.

Indeed. This is the same river, after all, that is blamed for altering the gender of fish and only this week for having an algae problem that’s making our water smell and taste funky. The idea of swimming in the stuff, untreated, boggles the mind — just putting those two stories together right this moment reminds us it’s high time to sign up for bottled water service.

Nevertheless, the Nation’s Triathlon web site is triumphantly announcing the Council’s decision with two exclamation points, albeit with a warning that the water quality will still need to be verified by the city’s environment department on race day. There are a reported 500 participants already signed up for the triathlon, Mayor Fenty among them. Would you swim in the Potomac?

Photo by LaTur