Just in time for the warm holiday weekend, Baker Beach is reportedly safe to swim in again. Bacteria pollution levels have gone back down to normal and the beach welcomes back the families, kids, and nudists once more.
Earlier this week, a beach water test showed dangerously high levels of bacteria, in fact, the second-highest it’s been in over three years. With such contamination at bay, authorities posted “no-swimming” signs on Wednesday, but those have been removed as of today.
The bacteria that was found included E. Coli and enterococcus, which both could cause human illness. The cause of the pollution is still unknown. According to the Examiner, human sewage doesn’t seem to be the problem. San Francisco Public Utilities Commission biologist Mike Kellogg said that wildlife could be responsible. He said that the beach is home to seagulls, raccoons, possums, skunks, and rodents whose droppings may spread bacteria.
Lately, the contamination levels at Baker Beach have been on a roller-coaster ride. The “Beach Report Card” published a few weeks ago gave Baker Beach at Lobos Creek a solid F for dry weather water quality. That water was so dirty, Baker Beach even earned itself a spot on the list of the top 10 most polluted beaches in California.
The water at Baker Beach will continue to be sampled next Tuesday to keep the bacteria levels in check.
