As temperatures rise across Southland, many people bump into the beaches seeking reprieve, but you might want to think twice before soaking near one of the area’s most famous landmarks.
For the second year in a row, the area around Santa Monica Pier has been named one of California’s dirty beaches by environmental nonprofits healing the bay.
According to the organization’s annual beach report card, Pier Ajacent Beach ranked second this year due to persistent water quality issues.
Relax at Baymonitor Beach along California’s coast. It tests water samples of fecal bacteria, including E. coli, E. coli, and enterococcus. High concentrations of these bacteria indicate the presence of pathogens that may be harmful to beach fans.
Of the over 500 beaches that healed the Bay in 2024, the top 10 dirtyest ones included four in San Diego County, three in San Mateo County and one in Marine County. The 10th and dirty beach on the list was in Baja California, Mexico.
Beach performance this year does not take into account wildfire spills.
In January, rainfall and debris from devastating LA County firefighters prompted the publication of a seawater closure and seawater quality advisory from Salhulada Beach, Malibu, to Dockweiler Province Beach, Worldway, Playa del Rey. The recommendation was then lifted. Public health officials say there is little evidence of fire-related toxins in marine waters that are sufficiently concentrated to make someone sick, despite fire-related debris washing on land.
Heal The Bay continues to carry out separate tests specific to the fire and its effectiveness.
The Santa Monica jetty, particularly north of Pico and south of Wilshire Boulevard, is Los Angeles County’s only beach and soothes the list of bays.
“Families who visit Santa Monica every day and spend their days in the sun may unconsciously endanger their illness by splattering through polluted waters,” said Tracy Quinn, CEO of Heal The Bay, in a statement. “It’s time for the city of Santa Monica to prioritize efforts to identify and reduce bacterial levels in Santa Monica Pier.”
Beach fans walk along the coast near Santa Monica Pier.
(David Butow / For the Times)
The beach area has now reached a lower grade, including a stormwater capture system and a bird deterrent net, despite an upgrade to the pier, according to the report. Pollution on the pier remains a problem, exacerbated by high levels of water contamination activities, including urban runoff and the disposal of fish bravery from recreational fishing that attracts seabirds.
In a statement Thursday, the city of Santa Monica said, “We are continuing to study and implement new strategies to address the quality of seawater just below the Santa Monica Pier, a very limited area that only includes seawater 100 yards north and 100 yards south of the pier.”
These efforts are being made in collaboration with Heal the Bay, the city added.
“We are proud to receive consistently excellent health grades for Santa Monica’s three-mile coastline, thanks to decades of urban policy and programme,” the statement said.
Over the years, Santa Monica has taken several steps to address water quality under the pier.
City officials said the pier could pose unique water quality challenges due to poor seawater circulation.
Heal the filthiest beaches of the bay
Playa Blanca (Baja California, Mexico) Santa Monica Pier (Los Angeles County) Tijuana Slau (Marine County) Channel (Marine County) San Pedro Creek (San Mateo County) Elkken Black Park (San Mateo County) Taijuananana County (Country) Borderfield State Park (San Diego County) Coast Drive (San Diego County) Imperial Beach in Pillar Point Harbor Beach (San Mateo County)
Of the more than 500 monitored beaches in the state, 62 have acquired places to heal the bay’s “honorary roll” that has been significantly improved from just 12 beaches in last year’s report.
Seven counties: Orange, San Diego, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Mateo and San Francisco have won the highest quality mark in this year’s report.
Beaches in Southern California usually dominate the Honorary Roll. Because many counties in northern and central California do not monitor water quality all year round.
From April to October, state law requires county governments to test water samples. However, counties do not need to monitor water quality for months during the offseason, so many counties choose not to do so from November to March.
Orange County ruled the top 10 list heeling the Bay’s Honorary Roll for the second year in a row. All the beaches on that list were in Orange County.
Top 10 “Honorary Roll” Beaches in California
Balboa Beach in Wedge (Orange County) Balboapier Beach (Orange County) Capistrano County Beach, South Capistrano Bay (Orange County) Crystal Cove State Park (Orange County) Dana Point Harbor (Orange County) Huntington City Beach (Orange County) Laguna Beach (Orange County) Newport County (Orange County) Sun County (Orange County)
The 62 Beach Honorary Roll includes 34 in Orange County, 12 in San Diego County and seven in LA County. There are five in Ventura County and two in San Mateo County, and one in Santa Barbara County and one in San Francisco County.
In LA County, seven Honorary Roll Beaches are Dockweiler County Beach, Harmosa Beach, Long Point on Rancho Palos Verdes, Manhattan Beach on 28th Avenue, San Nicolas Canyon Creekmouth, Nicolas Beach, 100 feet west of Lifeguard Tower, and 100 feet west of Rancho Palos Palos Bend.
During the 2024-2025 monitoring period, Heal The Bay says California has seen significant improvements in coastal water quality. This is a tissue caused by extremely dry summers and winters.
The report shows that 9% less rainfall compared to the historic decade average, resulting in fewer contaminants such as bacteria, trash and chemicals.
Authorities recommend staying at least 100 yards away from storm drains and river outlets when entering the water, and always wait before going to the sea at least 72 hours after it rains.
Source link
