Residents of Los Angeles County intending to hit the beaches might want to rethink their plans, as the Department of Public Health has released advisories against ocean activities at several popular spots. In a recent bulletin, the department warned against swimming, surfing, and playing in the waters around areas such as Santa Monica Pier and Mother’s Beach in Marina Del Rey due to elevated bacterial levels.
Specifically, the beaches flagged for high bacterial counts include a 100-yard radius around Santa Monica Pier and Santa Monica Canyon Creek at Will Rogers State Beach, as well as the entirety of the swim areas near Marie Canyon Storm Drain at Puerco Beach, Sweetwater Canyon Storm Drain at Carbon Canyon Beach, Mothers Beach, and Las Flores Creek at Las Flores State Beach, the advisories are a result of water quality tests that have shown the bacterial levels to be above health standards.
However, there’s good news for those seeking a safe dip as Escondido Creek at Escondido State Beach has been cleared, recent samples have confirmed that the water quality at this location complies with state regulations, making it an option for beachgoers.
To ensure the public is kept in the loop, the County's beach closure hotline is available 24 hours for updates on beach conditions and the Public Health's website offers a detailed map of affected locations, for those looking to keep themselves and their families out of harm's way.
