Memorial Day weekend is almost here, which means Southern Californians will soon be gathering for barbecues and flocking to the beaches to mark the unofficial start of summer.
However, in Los Angeles County, residents should avoid the water in certain coastal locations because bacterial levels reached unhealthy levels in the latest testing, according to a news release from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. .
The agency sent out a warning Tuesday warning people not to swim, play and surf in the following ocean waters:
- About 100 yards along the shoreline from the East Temescal Canyon storm drain at Will Rogers State Beach.
- About 100 meters up and down the lagoon at Topanga Canyon Beach in Malibu.
- About 100 yards along the shoreline from the Pico-Kenter storm drain at Santa Monica State Beach.
- The entire bathing area of Playa de las Madres in Marina del Rey.
- About 100 yards along the shoreline from the Malibu Lagoon public baths at Surfrider Beach.
- About 100 yards along the coast from the Santa Monica Pier.
- The entire bathing area of Inner Cabrillo beach in San Pedro.
This week's warning follows a more serious incident in the county two weeks ago, when the discharge of about 14,400 gallons of untreated sewage into the ocean resulted in the closure of areas of Dockweiler State Beach, Venice Beach and the surrounding area. , according to the county public. health officials.
People were advised to avoid water and sand from Ballona Creek to one mile north of Venice Beach and one mile south of Dockweiler. The beaches have since reopened.
Information on beach conditions is available 24 hours a day through the county's beach closure hotline: (800) 525-5662. A map of affected locations can be found at PublicHealth.LACounty.gov/Beach/.
