Memorial Day weekend is fast approaching, which means Southern Californians will soon be gathering for barbecues and flocking to beaches to mark the unofficial start of summer.
In Los Angeles County, however, residents should avoid water from certain coastal areas because bacterial levels reached unhealthy levels during the latest testing, according to a press release from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health .
The agency sent out a warning Tuesday warning people against swimming, playing and surfing in the following ocean waters:
- About 100 yards up and down the coast from the East Temescal Canyon storm drain at Will Rogers State Beach.
- About 100 yards up and down the lagoon at Topanga Canyon Beach in Malibu.
- About 100 yards up and down the coast from the Pico-Kenter storm drain at Santa Monica State Beach.
- The entire swimming area of Mothers Beach in Marina del Rey.
- About 100 yards up and down the coast from the Malibu Lagoon public restrooms at Surfrider Beach.
- About 100 yards up and down the coast from the Santa Monica Pier.
- The entire swimming area of Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro.
This week’s warning follows a more serious incident in the county two weeks ago, when the release of approximately 14,400 gallons of untreated sewage into the ocean led to the closure of areas of Dockweiler State Beach, Venice Beach and surrounding areas, according to the county public. health officials.
People were advised to avoid water and sand from Ballona Creek up to one mile north of Venice Beach and one mile south of Dockweiler. Since then, the beaches have reopened.
Information on beach conditions is available 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/.
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