Our readers weigh in: Would you swim in the Charles River?

Many of the negative responses were along the lines of "ugh," "dirty!" and "poop!" Some expressed disbelief in the science behind the cleanup and testing.

• Some readers just said they wouldn't swim there because parking by the Esplanade is a nightmare.

Some readers had personal experiences with pollution for years and now just can't get over it. Others have more vivid reasons:

• "I am a boater and have unfortunately discovered the body of a deceased person in the river once, under Mass Ave Bridge. That turned me off swimming there," one reader told us.

Others were fine with taking a swim as long as the data says it's safe.

• "If I didn't have to touch the bottom or know that other people will not touch the bottom waking up the ick that settled then I would," said a reader.
• "My dad would swim off the dock behind the Museum of Science back in the 70s. He talks about getting out of the river and having a sheen of oil on his skin. He's still alive, so why not?" another chimed in.