4 Beaches In Long Beach Found To Have Unsafe Bacteria Levels

LONG BEACH, CA— Those looking to take a winter dip in the ocean may want to steer clear of some beaches as the Long Beach Public Health Department issued a bacteria advisory for 4 beaches.

The department collects samples weekly from various sites year-round to test and monitor bacteria levels. On Thursday, the division found the ocean water exceeded state standards for bacterial levels at these beaches:

• The beach on the west side of the Belmont Pier
• Mothers' Beach
• Colorado Lagoon East
• The beach at 2nd Street Bridge and Bayshore Avenue

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health also issued advisories for 16 beaches throughout the county:

• Malibu Lagoon at Surfrider Beach
• Latigo Shore Drive in Malibu
• Walnut Creek at Paradise Cove
• Escondido Creek at Escodido State Beach
• Castlerock Storm Drain at Topanga County Beach
• Las Flores Creek at Las Flores State Beach
• Puerco Canyon Storm Drain at Puerco Beach
• Santa Monica Canyon Creek at Will Rogers State Beach
• Santa Monica Pier at Santa Monica Beach
• Pico-Kenter storm drain at Santa Monica Beach
• Windward storm drain at Venice Beach
• Brooks Avenue storm drain at Venice Beach
• Topsail Street extension at Venice Beach
• Venice Pier at Venice Beach
• Mothers Beach in Marina del Rey
• Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro

Officials recommend avoiding contact with ocean water for three days after rainfall to avoid illness, especially near flowing storm drains, creeks and rivers.

Recorded information on beach conditions is available 24 hours a day on the city Health Department's website.