- Los Angeles County residents have been advised not to swim at 12 different beaches.
- Warnings are often issued not to swim due to high levels of enterococci.
Los Angeles County residents have been advised not to swim or engage in water activities in the “bacteria-infested” waters at 12 different beaches, even though they are not closed to the public.
The Los Angeles County Health Department issued warnings about the high level of bacteria that have been detected in the water until proper authorization has been given.
“These warnings have been issued because bacterial levels exceeded health standards in the latest testing,” the department said.
Although the department has not specified what type of bacteria has contaminated the water, news week reports that no-swimming warnings are often issued due to high levels of enterococci, a drug-resistant strain of bacteria.
The current advisories refer to several beaches in Southern California.
Los Angeles County residents have been advised not to swim at 12 different beaches.
Do not swim warnings are often issued due to high levels of enterococci (pictured) which are indicative of fecal matter present.
Image: Map of the 12 Los Angeles County beaches that have been issued a swimming advisory
In Malibu, the swimming area near the public restrooms at Leo Carrillo State Beach has an advisory. In Latigo Shore Drive, the area The rise and fall of the coast is also monitored from the public access stairs.
While the Malibu Pier is open, the area 100 yards along the shoreline from the pier should be avoided.
The entire Las Flores Creek swimming area at Las Flores State Beach in Malibu has an advisory.
The Santa Monica Pier is open, but the area 100 meters along the shoreline from the pier has a warning.
In Pedro, the entire Inner Cabrillo beach swimming area has a swimming advisory.
For Puerco Beach, the area near the public access steps at Marie Canyon Storm may be contaminated, as may the area near the Puerco Canyon storm drain.
The entire swimming area at Sweetwater Canyon Storm Drain at Carbon Canyon Beach is under a swim advisory, as is Castlerock Storm Drain at Topanga County Beach.
The area around the public restrooms at Malibu Lagoon in Surfrider Beach has a swimming advisory.
On the beach at Will Rogers State Park near Tower 18, the swimming area in Santa Monica Canyon Creek that flows into the ocean also has an advisory.
Affected areas include multiple beaches in Malibu and Santa Monica.
Several state beaches and storm drains have also been affected.
Enterococci live in the intestinal tracts of warm-blooded animals, including humans, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. High levels of enterococci indicate that fecal matter is pre-established.
Sewage discharged from recreational boats, septic tank leaks, stormwater runoff, pet and wildlife waste, and effluent from sewage treatment plants can contaminate lake basins.
Enterococci are often the cause of a variety of diseases, including urinary tract infections, bacteremia, wound infections, and infective endocarditis. If left untreated, these ailments can worsen and become serious.