The Department of Public Health has posted warning signs advising beach visitors, swimmers, and surfers to avoid the ocean water along a two-mile stretch of beach immediately south of Ballona Creek near Marina Del Rey, an area known as “The Strand.” LA County health officials were notified today that the discharge may have entered the area. The advisory is posted as a precautionary measure.
The advisory will be in effect until at least 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 2, pending test results that measure the bacteria level in the ocean water.
“We are asking people to avoid entering or swimming in the ocean in the area immediately south of Ballona Creek,” said Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, Director of Public Health and County Health Officer. “Our first priority is to protect the health and safety of the people who visit the beach and water areas. Once we determine bacteria levels in the water have returned to normal, we will remove the beach advisory.”
Public Health was notified by the Los Angeles City Bureau of Sanitation today regarding the discharge. It was determined the discharge may have entered the area around The Strand and therefore, could enter ocean water. Los Angeles City Bureau of Sanitation will be involved with the clean-up.
Recorded information on beach conditions is available around the clock on the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Ocean Water Quality Hotline at 1-800-525-5662 and online at www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/beach.
