Bacteria Warnings Issued for Multiple LA County Beaches Amid Heat Wave

As Southern Californians continue to seek relief from the prolonged heat wave, beachgoers planning to cool off in the Pacific were advised Monday to steer clear of the water at multiple Los Angeles County locations. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued warnings for a number of sites along the coast, citing elevated bacteria levels.

Recent water samples indicated that bacterial levels at these sites have exceeded health standards, which may increase the risk of illness for swimmers. The advisories cover a range of popular spots, from Santa Monica down to Torrance.

In Santa Monica, the warning applies to the area 100 yards up and down the coast from the Pico-Kenter storm drain at Santa Monica Beach, as well as 100 yards up and down the coast from the Santa Monica Pier.

Redondo Beach has multiple affected zones, including 100 yards up and down the coast from the Redondo Beach Pier, 100 yards up and down the coast from Sapphire Street, and 100 yards up and down the coast from the Avenue I storm drain.

Other areas under the advisory include the entire swim area at Portuguese Bend in Rancho Palos Verdes, and the entire swim area at the Rose Avenue Storm Drain at Venice Beach. Further north, the warning covers 100 yards up and down the coast from the Castlerock Storm Drain at Topanga County Beach.

In Manhattan Beach, the advisory is for 100 yards up and down the coast from the Manhattan Beach Pier. South of that, Torrance Beach at Malaga Cove, specifically 100 yards up and down the coast from the lifeguard tower just north of RAT Tower, is also under a warning.

There was some good news for those headed further up the coast: the warning that had been in place for Walnut Creek at Paradise Cove in the Malibu area was lifted. Officials stated that recent sample results for that location identified water quality levels that are now within state standards.

For residents looking for current information on beach conditions, recorded details are available 24 hours a day on the county’s beach hotline at 800-525-5662. Additional information, including a map of the affected locations, can be found at the PublicHealth.LACounty.gov/Beach website.