Los Angeles County beachgoers, take note: certain spots along the coast are currently off-limits for water activities due to elevated bacterial levels. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has issued a warning cautioning the public to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in the ocean near several affected areas. According to an advisory published on PublicHealth.LACounty.gov, the locations include popular spots such as Malibu Lagoon at Surfrider Beach and the pier in Redondo Beach.
The advisories come after recent testing showed bacterial levels that exceed health standards in these areas. Specifically, residents should steer clear from the water within a 100-yard radius of storm drains and public restrooms at the listed beaches, covering various high-traffic locations like the Pico-Kenter storm drain at Santa Monica Beach and the Dockweiler State Beach Culver Blvd. storm drain. Such announcements serve to timely warn the public to safely plan their beach outings to reduce health risks.
Fortunately, not all news is grim for beach enthusiasts. The Department of Public Health has lifted warnings for several other beach areas where the water quality has been deemed safe and within state standards. This includes the Santa Monica Pier, Topanga Canyon Beach in Malibu, and Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro. These sites previously under scrutiny can once again be freely enjoyed by the public.
Always prioritizing public safety, the County maintains a 24-hour beach closure hotline at 1-800-525-5662 for those seeking to quickly confirm the status of their desired coastal destinations. For a more comprehensive view, beachgoers can to directly visit the L.A. County Public Health website that provides detailed maps and updated information on beach conditions. For any further inquiries, the Department of Public Health can be contacted at (626) 430-5360.
