Memorial Day weekend is just around the corner, which means Southern Californians will soon be gathering for barbecues and flocking to the beaches to celebrate the unofficial start of summer.
In Los Angeles County, however, residents should avoid using water in certain coastal areas because bacteria levels reached unhealthy levels the last time it was tested, according to a news release from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
The agency issued a warning on Tuesday, reminding people not to swim, play and surf in the following waters:
- The East Temescal Canyon Storm Drain is about 100 yards along the shoreline from Will Rogers State Beach.
- About 100 meters from the lagoon at Topanga Canyon Beach in Malibu.
- The Pico-Kenter storm drain runs about 100 yards along the shoreline from Santa Monica State Beach.
- The entire swimming area of Marina del Rey Mother Beach.
- The public restrooms at Malibu Lagoon at Surfers Beach are about 100 yards along the shoreline.
- From the Santa Monica Pier, follow the shoreline about 100 yards.
- The entire swimming area of Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro.
A more serious incident occurred in the county two weeks ago when approximately 14,400 gallons of raw sewage was released into the ocean, closing Dockweiler State Beach, Venice Beach and surrounding areas, according to county public accounts.
People are advised to avoid the water and sand of Ballona Creek to one mile north of Venice Beach and one mile south of Dockweiler. The beach has since reopened.
You can get information about beach conditions 24 hours a day through the county’s beach closure hotline: (800) 525-5662. A map of affected locations can be found at PublicHealth.LACounty.gov/Beach/.
