Raw deal: Greenwich's untreated sewage seeping into local rivers.

Sewage pipes in Greenwich might be leaking untreated wastewater into local waterways. Save the Sound found high levels of bacteria not just following heavy rainfall, but also on dry days. That could point to a bigger problem of sanitary sewer infrastructure underground.

Save the Sound tested ten sites in Greenwich and found six were not deemed safe to swim in. They include East Branch Byram River, Pemberwick Creek, Horseneck Brook, Byram Park, Byram River at Comley Avenue and Bryan River at South Water Street.

Even though people don't often swim in rivers and creeks, it is important that they meet Clean Water Act standards, a federal law that regulates pollutants in water.

Greenwich has separate pipes that carry sewage and stormwaters, but the pipes are often close together. A cracked sewage pipe can cause sewage to seep into a cracked stormwater pipe. Greenwich Public Works said untreated sewage could also come from animal waste, a failing septic system or problems with sewer connections.

Between the Lines: The good news: Four of the ten sites tested met Connecticut's safe swimming standards including Byram River at Cliffdale Road, Indian Harbor Yacht Club, Mianus River and Greenwich Cove. Let's fix the other six sites.

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