GOWANUS — The infamously polluted Gowanus Canal could be reclassified for swimming and boating under a new proposal from the state Department of Environmental Conservation, reports Secret NYC .

The 1.8-mile waterway, now designated for fishing only, would be upgraded to “Class SC,” which would require the city to restore it to swimmable standards. The shift comes as Gowanus undergoes rezoning to add thousands of apartments and parks. But with 11 sewer overflow sites still discharging into the canal, federal Superfund work ongoing, and an 8-million-gallon sewage tank not due until 2030, safe swimming remains years away, if ever, local conservation groups warn.

Officials and advocates say the move would mark progress, sunny beaches or not.

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