With July 4 crowds expected to flock to Southland beaches this weekend, health officials are warning beachgoers to avoid entering the ocean at several locations because of elevated bacteria levels that could increase the risk of illness.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has issued ocean water warnings for the following locations:
— Redondo Beach Pier in Redondo Beach, 100 yards up and down the coast from the pier;
— Mother’s Beach in Marina del Rey, entire swim area;
— Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro, entire swim area;
— Castlerock storm drain at Topanga County Beach, 100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain;
— Topanga Canyon Beach in Malibu, 100 yards up and down the coast from the lagoon; and
— Santa Monica Pier, 100 yards up and down the coast from the pier.
Officials said the warnings were issued after recent water samples showed bacteria levels exceeding state health standards, which could increase the risk of illness.
The county health department was closed for the holiday Friday, but recorded information on beach conditions is available 24 hours-a-day on the county’s beach closure hotline, 1-800-525-5662.
A warning was lifted for Bel Air Bay Club storm drain at Will Rogers State Beach after recent testing found water quality had returned to state standards.
In Orange County, meanwhile, a half-mile of coast in Laguna Beach remained closed Friday after approximately 2,000 gallons of sewage spilled due to a malfunction of a force main sewer line pump.
The closure was in effect a quarter-mile in each direction of Anita Street at Thalia Beach, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency’s Environmental Health Division.
“The affected ocean water area will remain closed to ocean water contact sports for a minimum of three days and until the results of follow-up water quality monitoring meet acceptable standards,” the agency said Thursday, meaning the area will remain closed for the July 4 holiday.
Information regarding Orange County ocean, bay or harbor postings and closures can be found at OCBeachinfo.com, or 714-433-6400. To report a sewage spill, the public was advised to call 714-433-6419.