The creation of Safer Waters in Massachusetts (SWIM) in 1984 was sparked by the discovery that Lynn had a tentative waiver to release inadequately treated sewage into Broad Sound, from an outfall a little over a mile south of Nahant. As a result of SWIM’s vigorous campaigning, a Secondary Sewage Treatment Plant was activated in 1991 to treat wastewater from Lynn, Nahant, Swampscott, and Saugus.
Since then, SWIM has had to swing into action for many environmental emergencies. For example:
* SWIM was instrumental in requiring Boston to build its sewage outfall farther from Nahant and the North Shore.
* SWIM made sure that Boston, Lynn and Salem installed secondary sewage treatment.
* SWIM prevented dumping of contaminated dredging spoils from Chelsea Creek just offshore from Nahant. This victory has had widespread ramifications, stopping and preventing other proposals to use the ocean to dispose of polluted material.
* SWIM helped fight proposed construction of floodgates across the Saugus River.
* SWIM worked to protect the lobsters from environmental effects of the gas pipeline recently built offshore from Beverly to the South Shore.
* SWIM continues its effort to protect Massachusetts Bay from contamination by liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals.
* SWIM is working to create a "No Discharge Area" in Massachusetts that would prevent increased pollution of Nahant waters.
SWIM is a cooperative effort of the citizens of Nahant, working independently, and at times joining forces with other environmental groups, to protect both Boston Harbor and Massachusetts Bay. Much of SWM's scientific and technical support comes from experts at local universities.
SWIM continues to act as a watchdog group, quietly monitoring the monitors who test the results of the Massachusetts Bay cleanup. We act locally, but our concerns are as broad as the environment.
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