Santa Monica Beaches Unsafe For Swimming Due To Bacteria Levels

SANTA MONICA, CA — High bacteria levels prompted public health officials on Tuesday to warn against getting in the water at 18 Los Angeles County beaches, including several in Santa Monica.

The LA County Department of Public Health collects samples weekly from various sites year-round to test and monitor bacteria levels and issues warnings when levels exceed health standards.

This week, officials warned that swimming in the water at the following beaches may cause illness:

• Santa Monica Canyon Creek at Will Rogers State Beach (near Will Rogers Tower 18, 100 yards up and down the coast from the creek)
• Topanga Canyon Beach in Malibu (100 yards up and down the coast from the lagoon)
• Mothers Beach in Marina Del Rey
• Malibu Lagoon at Surfrider Beach (100 yards up and down the coast from the public restrooms)
• Santa Monica Pier (100 yards up and down the coast from the pier)
• Trancas Creek at Zuma Beach (100 yards up and down the coast from the creek)
• Malibu Pier (100 yards up and down the coast from the pier)
• Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro
• Escondido Creek at Escondido State Beach
• Dockweiler State Beach (100 yards up and down the coast from the Westchester Storm Drain)
• Santa Monica Beach (Santa Monica South Tower 20, 100 yards up and down the coast from the Pico-Kenter storm drain)
• Walnut Creek at Paradise Cove
• Solstice Creek at Dan Blocker County Beach
• Puerco Beach (Marie Canyon Storm Drain, 100 yards up and down the coast from the public access steps)
• Carbon Canyon Beach (Sweetwater Canyon Storm Drain)
• Topanga County Beach (Castlerock Storm Drain, entire swim area)
• Latigo Shore Drive in Malibu (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)

Information on beach conditions is available 24 hours a day on the county's beach closure hotline at 800- 525-5662. A map of impacted locations and more information is available at the public health department's website.

City News Service contributed to this report.