Bay Area beachgoers can expect a long, healthy summer at the water's edge: Water quality at most Bay Area beaches remains clean and clear, according to a report released Thursday. <\/p>\n
Almost all Bay Area beaches had zero or very low levels of bacteria from sewage, agricultural runoff or animal waste, according to Heal the Bay, a Santa Monica nonprofit that looked at weekly water samples from more than 600 sites along the California, Oregon and Washington coasts. <\/p>\n
\"You're pretty safe at open-ocean beaches in the Bay Area in dry weather,\" said Amanda Griesbach, Heal the Bay's lead scientist on the report. \"Wet weather can be a different story.\" <\/p>\n
In the rainy season, sewage overflows and storm runoff can bring dangerous levels of bacteria to the coastline. Heal the Bay recommends that people stay out of the water for two days after a storm, no matter how effective the local water treatment system. <\/p>\n
In San Francisco, the cleanest beaches year round include Aquatic Park near Larkin Street, the western end of Crissy Field, China Beach and Jackrabbit Beach at Candlestick Point. <\/p>\n
San Francisco's most contaminated, by far, is Windsurfer Circle at Candlestick Point, according to the report. The beach had dangerously high levels of bacteria, including enterococcus and fecal coliform, which can cause skin rashes, ear and eye infections, and gastrointestinal problems if ingested. <\/p>\n
The problem at Windsurfer is its proximity to Candlestick Park, said Jean Walsh, spokeswoman for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. Trash, motor oil and fecal bacteria - from humans as well as birds - all contribute to the high count, she said. <\/p>\n
Residents of the neighborhood said they weren't surprised by Windsurfer Circle's dubious honor. The area has been polluted as long as anyone can remember, said Kevin Carpenter, 40, a resident of the nearby Alice Griffith housing project who was at the park Thursday afternoon with some friends. <\/p>\n
Fernando Santillan, 32, agreed. <\/p>\n
\"I don't swim here because the water is so dirty,\" said Santillan, who also lives at Alice Griffith. \"I wish they'd do more to keep people from littering around here.\" <\/p>\n
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