Elevated bacteria levels prompted warnings Thursday for beachgoers to stay out of the water at 11 Los Angeles County coastal locations.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued ocean water use warnings after recent samples showed bacterial levels exceeding state health standards, which officials said could increase the risk of illness.
The warnings were in effect for:
— Wilshire Boulevard storm drain at Santa Monica Beach, 100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain;
— East Wilshire Boulevard storm drain at Santa Monica Beach, 100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain;
— Walnut Creek at Paradise Cove, the entire swim area;
— Avalon Beach on Catalina Island, the entire swim area west of the Green Pleasure Pier;
— Torrance Beach at Malaga Cove, 100 yards up and down the coast from the lifeguard tower north of RAT Tower;
— Redondo Beach at Sapphire Street, 100 yards up and down the coast from Sapphire Street;
— Redondo Beach Pier in Redondo Beach, 100 yards up and down the coast from the pier;
— Ramirez Creek at Paradise Cove, 100 yards up and down the coast from Paradise Cove Pier;
— Solstice Creek at Dan Blocker County Beach, the entire swim area;
— Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro, the entire swim area; and
— Santa Monica Pier, 100 yards up and down the coast from the pier.
A previous warning for the Herondo Street storm drain in Hermosa Beach has been lifted after recent samples showed water quality levels within state standards.
Recorded information on beach conditions is available 24 hours a day on the county’s beach hotline at 800-525-5662. A map of affected locations and additional information are available at PublicHealth.LACounty.gov/Beach.