Los Angeles County beachgoers, take heed: the Department of Public Health is waving the red flag on water quality. A series of ocean water use warnings have been hoisted for various popular shores stretching from Malibu to San Pedro due to elevated bacterial levels. Health authorities are advising the public to give the sea a wide berth and stick to the sand when visiting these impacted areas.
Specifically, the warnings apply to a 100-yard radius around several storm drains and creeks at hotspots like Surfrider Beach, Santa Monica Pier, and Venice Beach, among others, where water samples have shown bacteria counts that blow past accepted health standards, and while the warnings encompass a substantial stretch of coast, the water at Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro and all swim areas at Mothers Beach in Marina Del Rey are being given a wide berth entirely. "The entire swim area," the announcement states.
Moreover, the persistent advisory due to the aftereffects of a fire—from Las Flores to Santa Monica State Beach—remains in force. The advisory hotline at 800-525-5662 and the Environmental Health website carry the latest intel on these concerns, and if there are any lingering questions, you're encouraged to direct them to the department at (626) 430-5360.
