Public Health Lifts Ocean Water Quality Advisory for Fire-Impacted Beaches

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has lifted the Ocean Water Advisory due to fire impacts that was previously in place from Las Flores State Beach to Santa Monica State Beach.

The decision came after the LA Regional Water Quality Control Board released results from testing ocean water on January 22 and 27, February 6 and 18, and March 13, as well as sediment/beach sand testing from February 25 to 27.

“The ocean water and sediment/beach sand testing, which looked for metals, nutrients, polychlorinated biphenyls and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are chemicals that may be found in water runoff based on previous California wildfires, revealed no chemicals related to wildfires at levels that are dangerous to human health,” according to a statement.

Beachgoers may now enter the ocean water, but are advised to continue to be cautious of fire debris, and to avoid being on beaches on or near burned properties, “as the fire debris may contain harmful substances and physical hazards such as glass, metal and sharp wooden debris.”

“High tides may carry fire debris into the ocean, creating hazardous conditions,” Public Health reported. “In areas along the coast—particularly near burned or destroyed properties on the inland side of Pacific Coast Highway—debris from recent fires has not yet been fully cleaned up. As the tides rise, this debris can be swept into the water, posing a danger to those in or near the ocean.”

Those who wish to visit the beach are advised to follow Public Health’s Ocean Water Advisories, which are non-fire related. Beachgoers are cautioned to avoid entering ocean water when “quality exceeds state bacterial limits.”

At press time, an ocean water use warning was in effect as of April 16 for 100 yards up and down from the Santa Monica Pier, as well as Malibu Lagoon at Surfrider Beach—100 yards up and down the coast from the public restrooms.

“These warnings have been issued due to bacterial levels exceeding health standards when last tested,” according to Public Health.

Previous warnings had been lifted for Topanga Canyon Beach and Mothers Beach in Marina Del Rey.

Recorded information on beach conditions is available on the county’s beach closure hotline: 1-800- 525-5662. To view a map of impacted locations and for more information, visit publichealth.lacounty.gov/beach.