It’s been well documented that the Anacostia River is not in the best health. So what better way to protest the government’s lack of attention to the waterway than by hopping into it with a hazmat suit on?

That’s what a group of environmental activists, scientists and lawmakers did yesterday afternoon, hopping into the Anacostia in Bladensburg, Maryland in order to “raise awareness about the failures to meet the July 1, 1983 deadline set by the landmark Clean Water Act for waterways to be made swimmable and fishable.” The event also featured speakers like Maryland State Senator Paul Pinsky (D-Prince George’s County) and former U.S. Senator Joe Tydings calling on D.C. and Prince George’s County lawmakers to expand and tighten Clean Water Act permits and strengthen development control measures.

“Clearly, measures undertaken to restore the Anacostia to a swimmable level have failed miserably,” said Pinksy.

Two billion gallons of untreated sewage and storm water are dumped in the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers each year, along with tons of garbage and other pollutants; those who took the plunge were quick to grab trash that they found floating in the river. In its current condition, the Anacostia is not considered safe to swim in or fish from.