L.A. Beaches More Polluted Due To Wet Winter: Report

LOS ANGELES, CA — California's wet winter was a boon was the state's water supply — it was credited with ending the state's drought — but it had the opposite effect on the beaches in Los Angeles County, according to a report released today by the environmental group, Heal the Bay.

According to the group, the rain increased ocean bacteria levels during the wet winter months, ruining the improving water quality during the dry summer months. About 93 percent of the beaches in the county received "A" grades during the summer seasons, but nearly half earned an "F" during the winter months.

"We want people catching waves, not bugs, when they head to the beach," said Sarah Sikich, vice president of Heal the Bay. "The reassuring news is that if you swim at an open-ocean beach in the summer away from storm drains and creek mouths you statistically have very little risk of getting ill."

On a bummer note, five of the most polluted beaches in the state are from Southern California, two in Los Angeles County. On Heal the Bay's "Beach Bummers" list are the Santa Monica Pier (sixth in the state) and Mother's Beach in Marina del Rey (ninth).

Orange County also had two beaches on the "bummer" list, with the San Clemente Pier placing second and Monarch Beach in Dana Point ranked 10th.

The most polluted beach in the state, according to the Beach Bummers list, was Clam Beach County Park in Humboldt County.

On a more positive note, four beaches in the county were listed on the organization's "Honor Roll," which
recognizes beaches monitored year-round that score perfect A+ grades for the report’s three time periods — two in Malibu and two in Palos Verdes.

Statewide, 96 percent of the 416 monitored beaches earned overall grades of A or B, a slight improvement over last year, according to Heal the Bay.

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