The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is waving the red flag for beachgoers, directing them to steer clear of certain coastal swim areas. In a statement echoed across local channels, a water use warning has been issued for a plethora of Los Angeles County beaches—citing health risks posed by elevated bacterial levels.
Whether you're into surfing, swimming, or just frolicking in the waves, you might want to think twice before diving into these spots. Affected areas include the entire swim area at Las Flores Creek at Las Flores State Beach, Walnut Creek at Paradise Cove, and several other popular locales, according to the County of Los Angeles, California. The warning extends to specific ranges around the Marie Canyon Storm Drain at Puerco Beach and the Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, where dangers lurk unseen in the microscopic forms of bacteria.
The Department is not just broadcasting warnings into the ether; they're offering concrete resources for beachgoers to stay up to date, minimizing the unwelcome surprise of tainted waters. They've set up a website and a 24-hour beach closure hotline: 1-800-525-5662, rife with information for those planning their saltwater expeditions.
