Dozens of concerned residents and beachgoers gathered on Tuesday night to discuss Mission Bay's water quality.
The residents asked, “Is Mission Bay gross?”
Experts said no, and explained how the city is maintaining the bay's health.
But the issue definitely brought out the community who uses Mission Bay the most. More than 100 people attended to hear the expert panel discuss issues in the bay, including urban runoff.
The San Diego Coastkeeper told the audience that health impacts resulting from poor water quality are minimal.
According to County Environmental Health, local beaches were closed for a total of 30 days in 2012 because of unsafe waters.
Few water enthusiasts at the meeting have ever reported getting sick because of the water quality. But many were there to make sure the bay stayed clean for future generations.
“I hope to find out that it's going to be clean and usable for the next generation, for my kids and grandkids,” said windsurfer Chuck Markham.
Concerned parents Steve Souza said he wants to know what’s in the bay.
“There’s a lot of an activity out here,” he said. “I want to make sure there's nothing under the water or in the water that could be of any harm to her.
Experts stressed that trash from higher elevations always ends up at the ocean and everyone can do their part to keep the water clean.
