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Southern
California Beaches
Once again, Heal the Bay analyzed the Southern California
data (Santa Barbara County to San Diego County) to determine
if there were regional trends. One of the critical questions
was, "Were there significant differences in water quality
based on beach type?" For this analysis, Heal the Bay
divided all Southern California beaches into three categories:
open-ocean beaches, beaches adjacent to a creek, river,
or storm drain (natural or concrete), and beaches located
within enclosed waterbodies. Heal the Bay began by evaluating
the Beach Report Card grades compiled for this year's
Annual Report. The grades were analyzed for three different
time periods: dry weather "summer months" from April
to October, dry weather year-round, and wet weather
year-round. Tables 3A and 3B illustrate the grades by
percent during dry weather for both year-round and AB411
(April to October) conditions.
For
the third year in a row, the results demonstrate that
water quality during dry weather at open ocean beaches
is better than at beaches impacted by storm drains (see
Table 4). In addition, when storm drains are not flowing
(due to diversions or lack of rain) beaches can have
very good water quality. Without a doubt the worst water
quality is found at enclosed beaches, probably because
of the poor water circulation that is often associated
with these beaches. During dry weather, approximately
31% of the enclosed beaches received fair-to-poor water
quality grades as opposed to 13% and 7%, respectively,
of those beaches impacted by storm drains and located
at open ocean locations. Enclosed beaches continue to
have poor water quality when compared to their open-ocean
counterparts. Although enclosed beaches appear safe
and inviting to children, parents should research water
quality conditions before allowing their children to
swim at these beaches.
Even
though this was an average rainfall year, wet weather
water quality was significantly impacted at local beaches.
For example, last year the percentages of F grades for
open-ocean, storm drain impacted, and enclosed beaches
were 11%, 37%, and 68% respectively, compared to this
year's 44%, 61%, and 98%. However, the disparity in
water quality from beach type to beach type remained,
with open ocean beaches once again having the best water
quality during wet weather. Both storm-drain-impacted
beaches and enclosed beaches had poor water quality
during wet weather, with enclosed beaches failing an
astounding 98% of the time.
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