Beach Water Quality Report, October 31

Water quality at most beaches in San Diego County is safe for recreational use.   However, signs warning of contaminated water are posted at the following locations: 

Closures:  These beaches are closed to water contact due to sewage spills that may impact recreational waters.  (none)

Advisories:  Water contact should be avoided at the following beaches due to bacterial levels that exceed health standards:

La Jolla

Station:  Children’s Pool

Status Since: Sept 1997                   
Reason:  On-going contamination by harbor seals

Station:  South Casa beach

Status Since: October 30
Reason:  bacterial levels exceed health standards. Enterococci SSM

Pacific Beach

Station:  P.B Point, inside cove to 150’ N & S.

Status Since: October 30
Reason:  bacterial levels exceed health standards. Enterococci SSM 

SSM –most recent sample exceeds single sample max

30 day Geomean standard – uses data from 5 or more samples

Bold – exceeds state standard by 1 magnitude 

For beaches next to storm drains, rivers, and lagoon outlets:

Avoid contact with runoff from these outlets and ocean waters within at least 75 feet from where runoff enters ocean waters during dry weather.  An epidemiological study has correlated urban runoff to an increased risk of illness among ocean users near these outlets.

Call the DEH Beach & Bay Water Quality hotline at 619-338-2073 for updated information, or log onto the DEH web site at www.sdcounty.ca.gov/deh/lwq/beachbay.  To see a map of monitoring stations and locations under warning for water contact, log on to www.beaches911.org , and select San Diego County.   

Re-opened:   Field measurements indicate these waters are now safe for recreational use.  Signs have been removed at the following locations:  Mission Bay.  North Cove beach, Vacation Isle.  Status since: Oct 30: 

Shellfish Quarantine. There is quarantine on mussel consumption due to risk of PSP or domoic acid poisoning for mussels taken from all coastal waters in California. For more information on the shellfish quarantine call 800-553-4133.

Contact your local lifeguard service for hazards associated rip currents and marine life