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California
Beaches
Summer dry weather water quality at California beaches this year was consistently good. Of the 492 ocean water quality monitoring locations throughout California, 420 (85%) received very good-to-excellent water quality marks (A or B) for April though October 2006 [Figures 1 and 2]. There were 72 (14%) monitoring locations that received fair-to-poor water quality marks (C–F) during the same time period. The percentage of A or B grades for year-round dry weather was slightly lower than those for summer dry weather.
The disparity between dry and wet weather grades continues to be large. Forty-three percent of monitoring locations received fair-to-poor grades during the wet weather season, 23% of which received an F [Figures 1 and 2]. This marked seasonal difference in water quality is why Heal the Bay and public health agencies continue to recommend that no one swim in the ocean during, and for at least three days after, a significant rainstorm. Despite the efforts of multiple organizations including Heal the Bay, with the exception of education programs, there have been no major efforts along the coast targeting reductions in fecal bacteria densities from stormwater.
Grades are available on each county's web page within this document (via the "Grades" link at the top of the page).
California
“Beach Bummers”
Numerous California beaches vied for the “Beach Bummer” crown this year (the monitoring location with the poorest dry weather water quality). Seven of the ten most polluted beaches in the state were in LA County. The 10 worst were: Cabrillo Beach harborside at the lifeguard tower in Los Angeles County (10th), Arroyo Burro Beach in Santa Barbara (9th), Venice Beach at Frenchman’s Creek in San Mateo County (8th), Campbell Cove State Park Beach in Sonoma County (7th), the Santa Monica Municipal Pier (6th), Surfrider Beach in Malibu (5th), Avalon Beach on Catalina Island (4th), Marie Canyon storm drain in Malibu (3rd), and Castlerock Beach near Topanga in Los Angeles County (2nd). Multiple locations in Long Beach share the dubious honor of being California’s worst “Beach Bummer” this year. After earning poor grades on our end-of-summer report last year, Long Beach water quality continued to suffer all winter, culminating in Long Beach having the worst water quality in the state this past year.
After numerous chronic sewage spills and water quality issues throughout Long Beach last year, Long Beach joins the Beach Bummer list this year. Castle Rock Beach and Marie Canyon continue to struggle with horrendous water quality. Avalon Beach is on the list for the 4th year in a row. Surfrider, Santa Monica Pier, and Cabrillo Beach all remain on the list from last year as three of the ten most polluted beaches in the state. And after scoring poorly on our last annual report, Arroyo Burro earns the dubious distinction of having one of the 10 worst grades in the state.
Heal the Bay strongly commends those agencies that continue their monitoring programs beyond the AB411 required dates of April through October. This action provided approximately 20 additional weeks of water sampling, which meant beachgoers, particularly surfers going out for the winter swells, could continue receiving information about water quality and have the ability to make better health risk decisions concerning their favorite beaches.
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