LA County issues beach water advisory due to rainfall
(Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES - LA County environmental health officials extended a water contact advisory Thursday for all coastal beaches and bays due to contamination from urban runoff from the recent rainfall.
Visitors are cautioned to avoid ocean waters around discharging storm drains, creeks and rivers where bacteria, chemicals, debris, trash are likely to cause contamination, said Los Angeles County Health Officer, Muntu Davis.
Health officials are urging people to avoid swimming, surfing and playing in the ocean.
Water contact should be avoided for at least 72 hours following a rainstorm, according to the Department of Environmental Health.
The beach advisory will remain in effect through Sunday, Dec. 29 7:30 a.m.
Discharging storm drains, creeks and rivers comprise a small portion of the beach, so other areas of the beach are still accessible.
Recorded information on beach conditions is available 24 hours a day on the County's beach closure hotline at 1-800-525-5662. Information is also available on their website.