Ocean Bacteria Warning Issued For Santa Monica Beaches

SANTA MONICA, CA — The L.A. County Department of Public Health is advising the public to avoid swimming, surfing and playing in ocean waters off the Santa Monica coast due to elevated bacteria levels that exceed state health standards.

"These warnings are issued because recent water samples showed bacterial levels exceeding health standards, which may increase the risk of illness," the Health Department said in a March 5 statement.

The warning applies to the following locations:

• Santa Monica Canyon Creek at Will Rogers State Beach. Near Will Rogers Tower 18, 100 yards up and down the coast from the creek.

• Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, 100 yards up and down the coast from the pier.

• Pico-Kenter storm drain at Santa Monica Beach. Santa Monica South Tower 20, 100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain.
• Montana Ave. storm drain at Santa Monica Beach. Santa Monica North Tower 8, 100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain.
• Wilshire Boulevard storm drain at Santa Monica Beach. Santa Monica North Tower 12.
• Strand Street extension at Santa Monica Beach, 100 yards up and down the coast from Lifeguard Tower #24.