It might be chilly for a dip in the ocean this time of year, but the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is giving Angelenos and visitors another reason to stay dry on shore. In an advisory issued recently, health officials are urging the public to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in the ocean near several Los Angeles County beaches due to elevated bacterial levels. According to the County of Los Angeles, the affected locations are those surrounding various storm drains, piers, and creeks where water samples have shown bacterial levels that exceed health standards.
Popular sites like Will Rogers State Beach, Dockweiler State Beach, and Manhattan Beach Pier are included in the advisory. Warnings apply to the water extending 100 yards up coast and downcoast from each storm drain or pier. Visitors should also be cautious around the swim areas at Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro and Mothers Beach in Marina Del Rey. Those planning to visit these areas should reconsider their plans.
While most of the advisories revolve around zones immediately surrounding storm drains, piers, and creeks, there's a spot of good news for ocean enthusiasts. Recent sample results have brought welcome updates for locations such as the area around the Pico-Kenter storm drain at Santa Monica Beach and Torrance Beach at Malaga Cove, where water quality levels have returned to state standards, lifting previous warnings, as reported by the County of Los Angeles.
Beachgoers can keep abreast of current beach conditions by calling the County's 24-hour beach closure hotline at 1-800-525-5662 or visiting the Public Health website for a map of impacted locations.
