Palos Verdes Beaches Sparkle According To Beach Pollution Report

PALOS VERDES, CA — Thanks to recent heavy rainfall and millions of gallons of sewage spilled into the ocean, beach pollution grades slipped across Southern California this year, according to Heal the Bay’s 33rd Annual Beach Report Card.

The nonprofit assigns letter grades to beaches across California based on levels of fecal-indicator bacterial pollution that are reported by local health agencies.

The Palos Verdes Peninsula fared far better than other beaches in Los Angeles County, earning A+ grades at many beaches including at Malaga Cove, Bluff Cove, Long Point, Abalone Cove, Portuguese Bend Cove and Royal Palms State Beach.

Nearby in San Pedro, however, Cabrillo Becah got varying scores with an A+ at oceanside, a B at the boat launch and an F near the restrooms.

Los Angeles County is also home to the state's most polluted beach at the Santa Monica Pier, which achieved F grades for both dry and wet conditions, officials said. Of all the beaches studied in Heal The Bay's list, Santa Monica tied for worst with Playa Blanca in Tijuana.

Mother's Beach in Marina del Rey is another LA County beach that made the list of the top 10 most polluted beaches, which Heal the Bay says is due to its poor water circulation.

Pollution tends to be highest following rainstorms, reflected by the "wet" grades, while dry-weather test results were generally "very good" across the state, Heal the Bay said.

Heal the Bay says people who come in contact with water with a C grade or lower are at a greater risk of contracting illnesses such as stomach flu, ear infections, upper respiratory infections and rashes.

“As climate change continues to bring weather whiplash, our water woes will swing from scarcity to pollution. This year, record precipitation produced major impacts on water quality across Coastal California,” said Heal the Bay CEO Tracy Quinn. “Now more than ever, we must prioritize multi-benefit projects to manage stormwater as both a water quality and supply solution, all while ensuring that the public is kept informed of risks to public health.”

You can view an interactive map of beach grades here.