High levels of bacteria at local beaches have prompted the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to issue warnings for those hoping to beat the heat by taking a dip in the ocean this week.
Several popular beaches across the Los Angeles area are currently under “Beach Area Warnings” due to the high bacterial levels, and visitors are urged to avoid swimming, surfing or playing in the ocean waters.
Public Health officials regularly track and monitor the bacterial levels at local beaches. Recent sampling has indicated that the bacterial levels at several beaches are currently “exceeding health standards when last tested.”
The ocean use warnings will remain in effect until testing reveals that the bacterial levels are below those levels.
The following beaches in Los Angeles County are currently under an Ocean Water Use Warning:
- Redondo Beach Pier in Redondo Beach; 100 yards up and down the coast from the pier
- Mothers Beach in Marina Del Rey; entire swim area
- Las Flores Creek at Las Flores State Beach; entire swim area
- Walnut Creek at Paradise Cove; entire swim area
- Marie Canyon Storm Drain at Puerco Beach; 100 yards up and down the coast from the public access steps
- Ramirez Creek at Paradise Cove; 100 yards up and down the coast from the Paradise Cove Pier
- Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro; entire swim area
- Escondido Creek at Escondido State Beach; entire swim area
- Topanga Canyon Beach in Malibu; 100 yards up and down the coast from the lagoon
- Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica; 100 yards up and down the coast from the pier
- Solstice Creek at Dan Blocker County Beach; entire swim area
- Malibu Lagoon at Surfrider Beach; 100 yards up and down the coast from the public restrooms
If you plan on visiting any local beaches in the coming days, you can check the latest beach conditions by calling the L.A. County Beach Closure hotline at 1-800- 525-5662.
A map of all areas affected by the current beach warnings can be found here.