La Jolla Shores Gets Low Water Quality Ranking

By John Schreiber

The Natural Resources Defense Council recently released its annual guide to water quality at popular vacation beaches across the United States, giving a stretch of La Jolla Shores along Avenue de La Playa just two out of five stars. 

The beach ratings, ranging from one to five stars, judged beaches based on a number of factors including frequency of water testing and proper noticing of the public when bacteria levels in the water exceeded health standards. 

Only 13 beaches across the nation received five-star ratings—three of which are in California—but none are in San Diego County. Five-star beaches received the high marks for strong water testing standards as well as low bacteria violation rates. The highest ranked beach in San Diego County was Moonlight Beach in Encinitas with four stars.

Beaches graded by the organization received one star for each of the following criteria met: 

1. Local officials post advisories without re-sampling.
2. Closings/advisories posted online and at beach.
3. Less than 5 percent of water samples exceeded national standards in 2010, 2011, and 2012.
4. Less than 5 percent of water samples exceeded national standards in 2012.
5. Water quality monitored more than once a week.

La Jolla Shores only received stars for points No. 2 and 4.

To see more beach ratings in San Diego County and across the nation, visit the Natural Resources Defense Council's website. 

Shauntel Lowe contributed to this report.