Bacteria warning issued for 14 California beaches

Health officials have issued a warning for 14 California beaches that were found to have bacteria levels exceeding health standards when last tested. FILE PHOTO

LOS ANGELES – Citing high bacteria levels, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Monday warned residents to avoid swimming, surfing or playing in ocean waters at 14 area beaches.

The department’s warning covers:
— Topanga Canyon Beach in Malibu, 100 yards up and down the coast from the lagoon;
— Mothers Beach in Marina Del Rey, entire swim area;
— 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;
— Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro, entire swim area;
— Escondido Creek at Escondido State Beach, entire swim area;
— Walnut Creek at Paradise Cove, entire swim area;
— Solstice Creek at Dan Blocker County Beach, entire swim area;
— Marie Canyon Storm Drain at Puerco Beach, 100 yards up and down the coast from the public access steps;
— Sweetwater Canyon storm drain at Carbon Canyon Beach, entire swim area;
— Castlerock storm drain at Topanga County Beach, entire swim area;
— Ramirez Creek at Paradise Cove, 100 yards up and down the coast from the Paradise Cove pier; and
— Las Flores Creek at Las Flores State Beach, entire swim area.

The department said those 14 locations were found to have bacteria levels exceeding health standards when last tested.

Meanwhile, warnings were lifted for Santa Monica Canyon Creek at Will Rogers State beach (near Will Rogers Tower 18) and Malibu Pier. The health department said recent samples at those locations identified water quality levels within state standards.

Information on beach conditions is available 24 hours a day on the county’s beach closure hotline at 1 800-525-5662. A map of impacted locations and more information is available here. (CNS)