California residents told to avoid swimming in ‘bacteria-infested’ ocean as 12 beaches are deemed dangerous by department of public health
- LA County residents have been advised not to swim at twelve different beaches
- Warnings are often given not to swim due to high levels of enterococci
Los Angeles County residents have been advised not to swim or participate in water activities in the “bacteria-contaminated” waters at 12 different beaches, even though they are not closed to the public.
The LA County Department of Health has issued warnings about the high number of bacteria detected in the water until they give proper approval.
āThese alerts were issued because bacteria levels at the last test exceeded health standards,ā the department said
Although the department did not specify which type of bacteria contaminated the water, Newsweek reports that warnings are often given not to swim due to high levels of enterococci, a drug-resistant strain of bacteria.
The advisories in effect apply to several beaches in Southern California.
LA County residents have been advised not to swim at twelve different beaches
Warnings are often given not to swim due to high levels of enterococci (pictured) which are indicative of the fecal matter present
Image: Map of all twelve beaches in LA County for which a swimming advisory has been issued
In Malibu, the swimming area near the public restrooms at Leo Carrillo State Beach has an advisory. Bee Latigo Shore Drive, the area Supervision is also carried out along the coast from the public access stairs.
While the Malibu Pier is open, the area 100 yards along the shore from the pier should be avoided.
The entire Las Flores Creek swimming area at Las Flores State Beach in Malibu is under an advisory.
The Santa Monica Pier is open, but there is a warning in the area 100 meters along the coast from the pier.
In Pedro, the entire swimming area at Inner Cabrillo Beach has a swimming advisory.
For Puerco Beach, the area near the public access stairs at Marie Canyon Storm may be contaminated, as well as the area near the Puerco Canyon Storm Drain.
The entire swimming area at the Sweetwater Canyon Storm Drain at Carbon Canyon Beach is under a swimming advisory, as is the Castlerock Storm Drain at Topanga County Beach.
The area around the public restrooms at Malibu Lagoon at Surfrider Beach is under a swimming warning.
At the beach at Will Rogers State Park near Tower 18, the swimming area at Santa Monica Canyon Creek that leads to the ocean also has an advisory area.
Areas affected include several beaches in Malibu and Santa Monica
Several state beaches and storm drains have also been affected
Enteroccoci live in the intestines of warm-blooded animals, including humans, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. High levels of enterococci indicate that bowel movements have been pre-set.
Wastewater discharged from recreational boats, septic tank leaks, stormwater runoff, pet and wildlife waste, and wastewater treatment plant effluents can all contaminate lake basins.
Enterococcus is often the cause of a range of diseases, including urinary tract infections, bacteremia, wound infections and infective endocarditis. If these conditions are not treated, they can worsen and become serious.