California’s waves are mostly safe for swimmers and surfers, but water quality experts warn there are certain times of the day and certain spots that swimmers want to avoid.

Heal the Bay An annual report of state beaches outlines those locations. The results reflect a harsh California winter with multiple rain-related sewage spills, resulting in only two beaches meeting the highest standards of clean water throughout the year.

Still, according to a report by a Los Angeles environmental nonprofit that focuses on clean waterways, 95% of California’s more than 400 beaches will have the highest ratings for water quality by April through October 2022. and covered the most popular beach recreation outlets in the state.

“This report is kind of reassuring. It confirms that most beaches in California are mostly clean and safe,” says Luke, a water scientist at Heal the Bay. Ginger said. “For most of the summer, the water quality is good, so we encourage you to go outside and enjoy it.”

However, 23 beaches in California (5% of beaches analyzed) scored a water quality grade of C or lower during the warm season. This means the water samples showed a correlation with the level of faecal contamination, the report said. Five of the beaches with the worst water quality were in San Mateo County and two were in Los Angeles County, according to the 33rd Heal the Bay Annual Report released Wednesday.

Beach rankings are based on regular water quality tests conducted by local authorities, which are then analyzed for the concentration of indicative bacteria in faecal matter such as human and animal waste.

“Fortunately we have beautiful, clean beaches most days of the year, but unfortunately there are times and circumstances when beach water can make people sick.” said the report. “Our coastal waters are regularly polluted with chemicals, trash, faecal and other contaminants that are detrimental to human health and marine ecosystems.”

This winter in particular, since the wettest winter in years, has often bore the brunt of the state’s runoff (including trash, pesticides, and microplastics that are washed downstream by the rain), so the study found that the levels of these contaminants were the highest.

“Rainfall has a big impact on water quality because it only washes pollutants into the ocean,” Ginger says. Scientists say many beaches have seen a noticeable decline in water quality during the wettest months, resulting in this year’s inclusion on the nonprofit’s “honorary roster” or weekly clean water throughout the year. Only two beaches met the criteria for Last year, 51 people were on that list.

“The purpose of this report is not to humiliate anyone… [or] To scare people away,” Ginger said. “We are trying to shed light on some of the water quality issues and get people to address them.”

So let’s take a look at this year’s Beaches of Disappointments list, which spotlights the California beaches with the worst water quality ratings from April to October 2022. All have an F rating. The beaches are ranked from worst to worst. (San Diego County officials also inspect those waters, so her three beaches in Tijuana are included in the analysis as well.)

california’s dirtiest beach

1. Santa Monica Pier (Los Angeles County)
2. Playa Blanca (Baja California, Mexico) *Santa Monica Pier and Worst Tie
3. Linda Mar Beach (San Mateo County)
4. Marlin Park (San Mateo County)
5. Elkenblack Park (San Mateo County)
6. Tijuana River Mouth (San Diego County)
7. Pillar Point Harbor on Capistrano Road (San Mateo County)
8. Marina Del Rey Mothers Beach (Los Angeles County)
9. Poche Beach (Orange County)
10. Gull Park (San Mateo County)

Half of the beaches on the list are believed to be closed, which tends to prolong pollution as marinas and piers restrict access to the shoreline, the report said. This is an ongoing challenge for Mother’s Beach in Marina del Rey and nearly every beach on the San Mateo County list.

Ginger said it was disappointing to see water levels at the Santa Monica Pier fall among the worst for the second year in a row. In 2018, the pier finally managed to get off the “sad” list with the installation of a rainwater collection system. He said birds around the jetty are now likely a major contributor to water quality deterioration, and authorities are working to stop birds from nesting and roosting.

“If this bird net works, we may see good water quality in the future,” Ginger said.

Heal the Bay officials recommend entering the water at least 100 yards from any storm channel or pier regardless of the beach, and exercise caution when visiting enclosed beaches and wait until it has rained to avoid waves. We always recommend waiting at least 72 hours before entering.

In addition to increased rainfall and runoff, the state has seen an increase in large sewage runoff over the past few months, often triggered by rain, Ginger said.

People play in the water at Mother’s Beach in Marina del Rey.

(Los Angeles Times)

“In fact, there were more sewage spills than average, and far more sewage spills into the ocean and coastal rivers and lakes,” Ginger said of last year. Sewage continues to pose a threat to ocean safety, with Long Beach shutting down the area earlier this month following a 50,000-gallon spill.

According to Heal the Bay, 45 million gallons of sewage spilled into the ocean and coastal waterways last year from April 2022 to March 2023, 16 million gallons more than the previous year.

“California is currently experiencing an increase in sewage runoff for the second year in a row, likely as a result of defective or malfunctioning sewage infrastructure, which is more stressed in wet weather,” the report states. . “We urge local authorities to invest seriously in infrastructure updates and public relations protocols to ensure the safety of all beach visitors.”

According to the report, only Point Loma Lighthouse in San Diego County and Bean Hollow State Beach in San Mateo County received the highest water quality score for the entire year, with “zero bacterial excesses year-round under all conditions.” It is said that

Ginger said climate change will continue to bring unpredictable weather. The sewage system will also improve, as this winter saw extreme rainfall following a period of extreme drought. Green waterway infrastructure Keeping waterways clean is even more important.

“It’s getting yo-yoed year after year. You never know what you’ll get,” Ginger said. “It’s likely to oscillate between the two extremes.”