Bacteria Warning Lifted For Marina Del Rey

MARINA DEL REY, CA — Los Angeles County Department of Public Health officials Tuesday extended a water use warning for swimmers and surfers near the Santa Monica Pier due to a 17-million-gallon sewage spill in the Santa Monica Bay last month.

The warning for Mother's Beach in Marina del Rey was lifted.

"The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health continues cautioning residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beach to be careful of swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters around discharging storm drains, creeks, and rivers," the department said in a statement.

The Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica is the only remaining beach listed on the warning list, which for days after the July 11 spill cautioned people before swimming in the Pacific Ocean near Malibu, San Pedro, Catalina, Marina del Rey, Pacific Palisades and the El Segundo and Dockweiler Beach areas.

Rep. Ted Lieu, who represents communities impacted by the spill, last week called for an investigation by the Environmental Protection Agency and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

"Given the severity of recent incidents, the subsequent and continued discharge of untreated and partially treated wastewater near highly trafficked beaches, and the lack of clear communication by the city of Los Angeles, an investigation into the facility's operations, response, and environmental impact is warranted," Lieu, D-Torrance, wrote in a letter to EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan and NOAA Administrator Richard W. Spinard.

"As the city of Los Angeles discharged this wastewater and facility operators attempted repairs, key local first responders and nearby cities were not immediately informed of the discharge in the nearby ocean," he said, adding that it may have violated a 2007 California law he authored to improve reporting of sewage spills.

Visit the county's website to learn more about beach conditions or call 1-800- 525-5662.

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