2 Santa Monica Beaches Unsafe For Swimming Due To Bacteria Levels

SANTA MONICA, CA — High bacteria levels prompted public health officials on Thursday to warn against getting in the water at 12 Los Angeles County beaches, including two in Santa Monica.

The LA County Department of Public Health collects samples weekly from various sites year-round to test and monitor bacteria levels and issues warnings when levels exceed health standards.

This week, officials warned that swimming in the water at the following beaches may cause illness:

• Las Flores Creek at Las Flores State Beach
• Walnut Creek at Paradise Cove
• Solstice Creek at Dan Blocker County Beach
• Marie Canyon Storm Drain at Puerco Beach, 100 yards up and down the coast from the public access steps
• Ramirez Creek at Paradise Cove, 100 yards up and down the coast from the Paradise Cove Pier
• Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro
• Escondido Creek at Escondido State Beach
• Topanga Canyon Beach in Malibu, 100 yards up and down the coast from the lagoon
• Santa Monica Pier, 100 yards up and down the coast from the pier
• Mothers Beach in Marina del Rey
• Redondo Beach Pier, 100 yards up and down the coast from the pier
• Pico-Kenter storm drain at Santa Monica Beach, Santa Monica South Tower 20, 100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain.

Meantime, an earlier warning was lifted for the Montana Avenue storm drain at Santa Monica Beach, Santa Monica North Tower 8.

Information on beach conditions is available 24 hours a day on the county's beach closure hotline at 800- 525-5662. A map of impacted locations and more information is available at the public health department's website.

City News Service contributed to this report.