On July 1, the Los Angeles (LA) County Department of Public Health warned people about the water at 17 beaches and areas within its jurisdiction. The authority noted that residents and visitors should avoid swimming, surfing, and generally playing or interacting with the ocean water at these locations.
Directives on how much to avoid the water varied on the area. For example, the report advised Santa Monica Pier visitors to avoid “100 yards up and down the coast from the pier.” The instructions also said to steer clear of “the entire swim area” at places including Inner Cabrillo Beach, Escondido Creek, and Walnut Creek at Paradise Cove.
LA County has issued 13 “Ocean Water Use Warnings” between the time of this reporting (July 3) and June 3.
The LA County Department of Public Health’s laboratory collects and analyzes samples pulled from surf zones. They test the samples for “total coliform, E. coli, and enterococcus bacteria.”
“The Recreational Waters Program routinely collects ocean water samples every Monday at 40 sampling sites extending from the Ventura/Los Angeles County border to south of the Redondo Beach pier,” the department says. “Water contact in ocean water with elevated bacteria levels may cause illness. Beach users are cautioned to avoid water contact near flowing creeks and storm drains.”
Reasons for elevated bacteria levels include “contamination from run-off” and “significant rainfall.”
Are There Any Beaches In LA County That Are Safe?
LA County’s website states that it operates and manages 20 beaches spanning 25 miles. That encompasses from Nicholas Canyon to White Point/Royal Palms. Swim Guide, a beach information and water quality service, claims there are 100 beaches in LA altogether.
The July 1 notice by the LA County Department of Public Health shared that Latigo Shore Drive in Malibu, overlooking Latigo Beach, is safe to visit. Moreover, the authority designated 100 feet west of Avalon Beach’s pier as safe. According to the report, recent water samples for those two locations showed quality levels within state standards.
