New App Allows San Francisco Beachgoers To Check Water Quality
SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX 5) – Next time you go to the beach, bacteria is a danger that could make you sick. San Francisco officials have released an app promising an early warning.
Protected by two piers, the waves at San Francisco's Aquatic Park are barely ripples. And that's why Cole Fox and other die-hard swimmers like it so much.
"You know, it's enclosed, there's not as many waves. There's probably not sharks, this is awesome," said Cole Fox, a regular swimmer at Aquatic Park.
But the still waters can also collect bacteria like E. coli and coliform as gunk washes down from the city. So the water is tested here and at 13 other beaches each week.
"And if they don't meet state standards for water quality recreation, then we let people know," said Jean Walsh of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission.
For example, Aquatic Park had above-standard levels of bacteria five times in the past three months. When that happens, they post signs on the beach and warnings on the department website.
"And that's great, but you know nowadays, people get so much of their information through apps. So we wanted to, you know, join the trend."
On Monday, the city officially launched "SF Beaches," a smartphone app that allows visitors to 14 popular beaches to check water quality before they take the plunge.
"I feel that water quality isn't something that's really talked about that much. And now that you've brought it up, maybe I should," Fox said.
The app is free and is available for iPhone and Android devices.
