[expat_panama]

normal procedure is for the waste to get dumped in the Mississippi

--after a few stages of treatment.  What I remember was that after a flood the Chicago River would stink and with a really heavy flood the muni water would need boiling.  My civil engineering past tells me Chicago area is one of the cleaner areas, and per person much cleaner than rural areas.   They don't have outhouses in Chicago.

[Chgogal]

The River doesn't stink (as much) anymore!

http://chicagoriverpaddle.com/

http://www.yelp.com/biz/chicago-river-canoe-and-kayak-chicago?nb=1

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=kayaking+on+the+chicago+river&qpvt=kayaking+on+the+chicago+river&FORM=IGRE

Kayaking the lake.

http://www.kayakchicago.com/

And you can fish too!!!!

http://www.windycityfishing.com/river.htm

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-06-01/news/ct-spt-0528-outdoors—20110527_1_smallmouth-bass-fishing-fish-move-crankbaits

I would not eat those fish, though.