A new online map tracking E. coli contamination was unveiled Wednesday morning at the Fairmount Water Works Gazebo in Fairmount Park.
The map is based on findings from a report by the PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center, which highlights bacterial contamination in rivers and streams across Pennsylvania.
According to the report, tests showed elevated fecal bacteria levels at 37 of 43 testing locations along the Delaware River in Philadelphia. Twelve of the 43 locations exceeded unsafe levels on 100% of the days tested.
At Pennypack Creek, Poquessing Creek and Schuylkill River, potentially unsafe levels were found on 73% of days, 57% and 55% of days tested, respectively, the nonprofit said.
"From the tiniest tributaries of the Schuylkill to the mighty Delaware, Philadelphians love to walk, hike, boat, fish and even swim in and around the region's amazing waterways. But too many days a year, the places where we want to cool off, paddle or cast a line are unsafe," said Stephanie Wein, clean water and conservation advocate for PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center.
The nonprofit also highlighted its findings in some of the Philadelphia suburbs.
In Chester County, parts of the Brandywine Creek and Big Elk Creek reportedly showed potentially unsafe levels of fecal bacteria 100% of days tested.
In Delaware County, Crum Creek had unsafe levels of bacteria on 66% of days tested and Ridley Creek on 53% of days tested, officials said.
And in Bucks County, Neshaminy Creek had potentially unsafe bacterial levels on 26% of days tested.
The nonprofit is pushing for policy changes to reduce sewage overflows and better protect the region's waterways.