LOS ANGELES, CA — High bacteria levels prompted public health officials on Monday to warn against getting in the water at six Los Angeles County beaches.
The results come as a heatwave will continue to blanket Southern California in dangerously warm temperatures this week, in excess of 100 degrees in some places.
The LA County Department of Public Health collects samples weekly from various sites year-round to test and monitor bacteria levels and issues warnings when levels exceed health standards.
This week, officials warned that swimming in the water at the following beaches may cause illness:
Santa Monica Canyon Creek at Will Rogers State Beach, near Will Rogers Tower 18 (100 yards up and down the coast from the creek)Santa Monica Pier (100 yards up and down the coast from the pier)Marie Canyon storm drain at Puerco Beach in Malibu (100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain)Escondido Creek at Escondido State Beach in Malibu (100 yards up and down the coast from the creek)Topanga Canyon Beach in Malibu (100 yards up and down the coast from the lagoon)Malibu Lagoon at Surfrider Beach (100 yards up and down the coast from the public restrooms)
Meanwhile, an earlier warning for Castlerock Storm Drain at Topanga County Beach was lifted after recent testing results identified water quality within state standards.
Information on beach conditions is available 24 hours a day on the county’s beach closure hotline at 800- 525-5662. More information is available at the public health department’s website.