Los Angeles beach-goers, you might want to think twice before taking a dip in the Pacific at several popular spots. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has slapped a warning on several beach areas, telling people to avoid the water due to high bacterial levels that'll make you think twice about the cleanliness of the ocean. The advisories were issued yesterday, covering parts of Santa Monica, Malibu, and other coastal hotspots where you might usually catch some waves or rays.
The health department is putting the kibosh on swimming, surfing, and playing around in the water at several places, including the Santa Monica Pier area and Will Rogers State Beach. And it applies to 100 yards both up and down from these sites. Even Malibu Pier, a postcard-perfect spot for tourists and locals, didn't escape the list; a no-go zone's been set up around there too. If the beach is your workout spot, you might just want to jog on the sand for now.
According to a bulletin from the county, these areas exceeded the health standards for bacteria when last tested. Exposure to water with high bacterial levels can cause a whole host of unpleasant illnesses, from stomach issues to rashes. So, people with hopes of a beach day might want to plan some alternative fun or target the cleared spots like Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro, where warnings have recently been lifted. The health department has a beach closure hotline available 24 hours a day at 1-800-525-5662 for those looking for more information to make safe beach-day decisions.
But it's not all doom and gloom for beach lovers. Some areas have been declared safe again, making the cut with water quality levels back within state standards. For those itching to hit the surf or lay out their beach towels, the county's bulletin includes a handy map of impacted locations. Before you pull out your swim trunks or bikinis though, check out PublicHealth.LACounty.gov/Beach/ to make sure you're heading to a non-contaminated beachfront. Safety first folks, nobody wants their beach day to end with a trip to the doc.
