The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is sounding the alarm for beachgoers with warnings to steer clear of some popular coastal areas due to heightened bacterial levels. Public health officials urge residents to avoid entering the ocean waters near various storm drains, creeks, and other specified areas that have recently tested for bacteria exceeding health standards.
Warnings are specifically in place for spots like the Castlerock Storm Drain at Topanga County Beach and Ramirez Creek at Paradise Cove, among others, where it is advised to avoid the water for 100 yards in either direction from the identified points. Inner Cabrillo Beach and Mothers Beach are facing a full swim area warning, while the areas near Santa Monica Pier and Hermosa Beach Pier also make the list of cautionary zones, according to a recent report by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
Health officials have lifted previous warnings for the beach areas near Malibu Pier and the 28th Street extension in Manhattan Beach, where water quality levels have returned within State standards. Swimmers and surf enthusiasts may breathe a slight sigh of relief for these locations but remain advised to stay informed on current conditions.
For those looking to keep tabs on the water quality before taking the plunge, the County's beach closure hotline offers recorded information on beach conditions available 24 hours a day at 1-800-525-5662. Between the hotline and the comprehensive map of impacted locations found on the health department's website, staying updated should be a breeze for conscientious beach lovers.
