LA County beach bacteria warnings stay in place across five coastal spots

Swimmers and surfers heading to Los Angeles County beaches to escape lingering autumn heat are being told to stay out of the water at several popular coastal spots, after routine water testing found bacterial counts exceeding state health thresholds.

Water samples taken by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health revealed elevated bacteria levels that increase the risk of illness. Officials have advised the public to avoid swimming, surfing, or playing in ocean water anywhere near the affected stretches of shoreline.

County health advisories remain in force across five specific beach zones:

• Walnut Creek at Paradise Cove: the entire swimming area;
• Redondo Beach Pier: 100 yards north and south of the pier structure;
• Redondo Beach at Sapphire Street: 100 yards in either direction along the coast;
• Castlerock Storm Drain at Topanga County Beach: 100 yards north and south of the drain outlet; and
• Torrance Beach at Malaga Cove: 100 yards up and down the coast from the lifeguard tower, just north of the RAT Tower.

Conflicting accounts emerged on Wednesday regarding how many locations remain under active warning. A broader advisory list published earlier had named 11 contaminated areas along the coastline, including Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro, Manhattan Beach Pier, Santa Monica Pier, Portuguese Bend in Rancho Palos Verdes, and storm drain outlets at Venice Beach, Santa Monica Beach, and Redondo Beach's Avenue I.

Subsequent testing confirmed that water quality had returned to acceptable levels at seven of those sites, allowing county officials to lift the warnings there. However, the five spots listed above continue to fail state water quality standards.

Ocean contamination along southern California's urban coast typically spikes when storm drains, creek runoff, or urban debris carry street pollutants and animal waste straight onto sandy shores. In high concentrations, ocean bacteria can cause gastrointestinal illnesses, skin rashes, and ear or respiratory infections in anyone who swallows the water or swims with an open cut.

The health department maintains an automated beach information line on 800-525-5662, which updates the public around the clock on which stretches of sand are safe. Up-to-date maps and testing reports are also published on the county's public health website.