Health & Fitness
Ocean Warning Lifts For Santa Monica, Extends At Other Beaches
An ocean water use warning was issued Friday for Avalon Beach at Catalina Island and Mother's Beach in Marina del Rey.
SANTA MONICA, CA — The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued an ocean water use warning Friday for Avalon Beach at Catalina Island and Mother's Beach in Marina del Rey, where bacteria levels are exceeding state standards. Public health lifted the warning for Santa Monica State Beach.
The caution follows a 17-million gallon sewage spill in the Santa Monica Bay in July, prompting health officials to issue updated warnings for beaches along the Los Angeles coastline.
The following Los Angeles County beaches remain under warning as of Friday:
Find out what's happening in Santa Monicafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Mother’s Beach in Marina Del Rey.
- Avalon Beach at Catalina Island, 50 feet west of the pier.
Warnings have been lifted for these beaches:
- Malibu Lagoon at Surfrider Beach.
- Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica.
Public health continues to caution people visiting these beaches to be careful of swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters around discharging storm drains, creeks and rivers.
Find out what's happening in Santa Monicafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The sewage spill happened July 11 at Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant in Playa Vista. People were cautioned for weeks after the spill at Los Angeles beaches, including Malibu, San Pedro, Catalina, Marina del Rey, Pacific Palisades and the El Segundo and Dockweiler Beach areas.
Along with the bacteria warning, the spill has reduced the region's water recycling ability and has forced officials to divert clean drinking water in a drought and pandemic, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Local leaders have started demanding answers. Rep. Ted Lieu has called for an investigation by the Environmental Protection Agency and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
"I'm requesting that the EPA and NOAA investigate the Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant's massive and continuing wastewater discharge into the ocean," Lieu announced on Facebook last week. "This facility plays a critical role in processing wastewater in LA County and its continued problematic operation requires federal action."
Visit the county's website to learn more about beach conditions or call 1-800- 525-5662.
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