Easy access, cleaner water and the summer heat have combined to create a popular outdoor swimming option for Westbrook residents – the Presumpscot River.

For many, the river, especially between Cumberland Mills and Saccarappa Falls behind downtown Westbrook, still holds onto a reputation left from before the turn of the century, when the river was regarded as one of the most polluted in New England.

But this week, there was no sign of fear. Anthony Alfreds, a Westbrook resident, was on a public dock along the riverwalk in Riverbank Park, jumping in and out of the water. He said he’s been swimming off the dock almost every day

“It’s really nice here, it’s so calm,” he said, adding that people he knows still comment on the river quality.

Growing up in Portland, he said, he used to come to Westbrook to swim off the black bridge, a popular spot for jumping. Alfreds, 18, who works in construction, said the river provides a perfect after-work dip, especially during the summer months.

Swimming on the river is easier now because of the two public ramps and floats along the riverwalk. On Monday, Alfreds and others were swimming, while downriver, closer to the boardwalk, a few people were sitting on a dock reading, or dropping their feet in the water. The access was meant to encourage kayaking and fishing on the river, but clearly has led to more swimmers, as well.

Bill Baker, Westbrook’s assistant city administrator for business and community relations, said swimming off the floats is a lot safer than jumping off the black bridge or the wall near Saccarappa Falls. However, those who swim off the docks are technically supposed to have flotation devices like inner tubes to encourage safety.

“Of course, many young people have taken to the ramps without the required safety equipment, which has put the police in the unenviable position when they receive a complaint of having to kick the kids off the floats, usually on the hottest days of the year,” he said.

However, complaints have been few and far between, and the popularity of swimming there is rising. After Alfreds jumped in, a number of his friends followed. The group said they frequent the spot.

According to Baker, the classification of the river will most likely be upgraded soon. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection classifies sections of Maine rivers on a scale that runs AA, A, B, and C. The section of the river between Cumberland Mills and Saccarappa Falls is expected to jump soon from C to B.

However, the classes are seen as close in comparison. According to a report released by Friends of Sebago Lake, all classes attain the minimum fishable-swimmable standards set by the Maine Clean Water Act. The report states that the classifications are assessed on potential risks to the ecosystem, rather than use or quality. For instance, because Sebago Lake is a protected source of drinking water, risks are seen as low, giving the lake an A rating.

Class C is seen as “water quality be sufficient to provide for the protection and propagation of fish, shellfish and wildlife and provide for recreation in and on the water.”

Michael Shaughnessy, the president of the Friends of the Presumpscot, said this week that the classification of the downtown section of river could have a higher rating.

“In a general sense, the water is a whole lot better than people perceive it to be,” he said.

In the Friends of the Sebago Lake report, by Douglas Watts, it states that two major factors contributed to the river’s turnaround beginning in 1999. First, S.D. Warren shut down its paper pulp making operation in Westbrook, “removing a giant gob of organic pollution from the river.” Then, in 2002, the Smelt Hill Dam was removed. According to the report, the dam created a 7-mile long stagnant pond that allowed paper mill pollution to “fester and settle in the river and consume most of its dissolved oxygen.”

Shaughnessy said the portion of the river that gives this section its C rating is below Cumberland Mills. He said in the last few years, he’s seen the number of people using the river for swimming rise.

Above Saccarappa Falls, the water holds a B rating. Shaughnessy called this section, with limited accessibility and activity, “a real gem of Westbrook.”

But, in the summer months, those looking for safer options for families still frequent the Cornelia Warren Community Pool, lying behind Main Street near the river. The public pool has been a longstanding asset for the community, and is still heavily used. Prior to when it was built in 1947, and prior to widespread river pollution, the public “pool” was in the river. The 12 cement piers that once supported the old swimming tank are still visible in the river.

According to information from the Westbrook Historical Society, the Cornelia Warren Association pool was originally built in 1947-48 by the association with the help of $10,000 raised by the VFW and the American Legion. The city eventually took over the pool.

Pauline Shaw, who coordinates finances for the city’s Community Services department, said numbers at the Warren Pool for the past week have been about average – between 40 and 60 people per day. She said attendance can differ depending on the day due to a range of large groups using the pool.

“Compared to last year, I would say it’s probably up a little bit,” she said referring to attendance, even with a price increase. This year, pool fees were raised $2, to $4 for adults and $3 for children.

But John Pilsbury, a lifeguard at the Warren Pool, said the prices may have affected attendance.

“Not as many people came because we upped the prices a little bit,” he said, adding that various camps come to the pool Monday through Wednesday. “It’s still been decent.”

Anthony Alfreds dives into the Presumpscot River from a float near Riverbank Park Monday. Alfreds, who lives in Westbrook, said he’s been swimming off the dock nearly every day. Staff photo by Andrew Rice