LA County Health Dept. Issues Beach Water Warning

LOS ANGELES COUNTY -- If the end of the recent rains has you thinking about making a trip to the beach, the county public health department has a warning for you.

Because of the recent rainfall, LA County Health Officer Muntu Davis is cautioning residents who are planning to visit Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters around discharging storm drains, creeks, and rivers.

Bacteria, chemicals, debris, trash, and other public health hazards from city streets and mountain areas are likely to contaminate ocean waters at and around these outlets after a rainfall. Individuals who enter the water in these areas could become ill.

However, discharging storm drains, creeks, and rivers only comprise a small portion of the beach; anybody who wants to go to other areas at the beach can still enjoy their beach outing, according to the health dept.

Areas of the beach apart from discharging storm drains, creeks, and rivers are exempted from this advisory. This advisory will be in effect until at least Tuesday, but could be extended depending on further rainfall, the health dept. says.

Recorded information on beach conditions is available 24 hours a day on the County's beach closure hotline: (800) 525-5662. Information's also available online at http://publichealth.lacounty.g...

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