Amid a continuing heat wave driving people to the coast, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health warned Wednesday that ocean waters at multiple beaches contain elevated bacteria levels and should be avoided.
The affected beach areas are:
— Dockweiler State Beach, Culver Boulevard storm drain, 100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain;
— Leo Carrillo State Beach in Malibu, 100 yards up and down the coast from the public restrooms;
— Walnut Creek at Paradise Cove, 100 yards up and down the coast from the creek;
— Wilshire Boulevard storm drain at Santa Monica Beach, near North Tower 12, 100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain;
— Topsail Street extension in Venice, 100 yards up and down the coast from Topsail Street;
— Mother’s Beach in Marina del Rey, entire swim area;
— Topanga Canyon Beach in Malibu, 100 yards up and down the coast from the lagoon; and
— Escondido Creek at Escondido State Beach, 100 yards up and down the coast from the creek.
Health officials said the warnings were issued after recent water samples showed bacteria levels exceeding state health standards, which could increase the risk of illness.
Meanwhile, a warning was lifted for the following beach area where recent sample results identified water quality levels within state standards:
— Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro;
— Santa Monica Pier;
— Marie Canyon Storm Drain at Puerco Beach;
— Santa Monica Canyon Creek at Will Rogers State Beach, near Will Rogers Tower 18; and
— Malibu Lagoon at Surfrider Beach
Recorded information on beach conditions is available 24 hours a day on the county’s beach closure hotline, 1-800-525-5662. A map of impacted locations and more information can be found at PublicHealth.LACounty.gov/Beach/.