Bacteria levels have gotten themselves a bad rap at some of Los Angeles County's beloved beaches, prompting public health officials to issue warnings for beach-goers thinking to maybe kick back and soak in the Pacific waters this weekend. Particularly, those heading to Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica should avoid getting wet in the ocean within 100 yards of the pier. Meanwhile, Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro is off-limits entirely for those looking to swim, as per the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
The culprit for this wet blanket on beach fun is nothing other than bacterial levels that just won't stay below health standards. The latest test results have shown an uptick, causing health officials to quickly flag the issue to the public. But not all is lost for Angelenos looking to quickly cool down on a sunny California day. The same officials have also given the green light to several other spots, including Topanga Canyon Beach in Malibu, and Pico-Kenter storm drain at Santa Monica Beach, specifically at Santa Monica South Tower 20, which now boast water quality levels within the safe zone.
While surfers, swimmers, and sun worshippers might be bummed out by the advisories, public health officials remain vigilant and proactive in monitoring conditions. In fact, for those looking to make sure that the coast is clear, so to speak, the County's beach closure hotline offers recorded information, readily available 24 hours a day at 1-800-525-5662. Updates, as well as a map pinpointing the impacted locations, can also be found by visiting the Public Health website. Residents with additional concerns can call (626) 430-5360 for more information.
