California has state wide standards for beach bathing water quality and a protocol for public notification. Known as AB411, these standards were implemented in August 1999 as part of the California Health and Safety Code providing the public "right-to-know" information about water quality at local beaches.

When a problem (exceedance of a standard) occurs at a beach, county health officials and lifeguards will initiate a number of public notification measures depending upon the source of the pollution and severity of the contamination (see below):

Beach sign used for exceedences near no known storm drain or outlet.	Exceedance of standard occurs near no known storm drain or creek The local California health agency will: •  Establish a telephone hotline number to inform the public. •  Post this warning sign (left) advising the public about the potential risk associated with swimming in ocean water. •  Take additional samples to determine if the problem persists. Beach Status: •  The beach remains open to the public. •  People can decide whether to swim or surf, based on their own comfort level of risk.
Beach sign used for exceedences adjacent to storm drain discharge. Some agencies post this sign indefinitely at beaches affected by perennial flow.	Exceedance of standard occurs adjacent to a storm drain discharge The local California health agency will: •  Establish a telephone hotline number to inform the public. •  Post this warning sign (left) advising the public of the potential risk associated with swimming in ocean water contaminated by urban runoff. •  Take additional samples to determine if the problem persists. Beach Status: •  The beach remains open to the public. •  People can decide whether to swim or surf, based on their own comfort level of risk.
Beach sign used for beaches closed due to a sewage spill. The sign is posted in both English and Spanish.	A sewage spill has impacted the beach The local California health agency will: •  Notify the media. •  Establish a telephone hotline number to inform the public. •  Close the beach to all forms of water contact. Beach Status: •  The beach is closed. •  The beach remains closed for at least 72 hours after the source has been identified, the spill ceases and sampling results indicate compliance with state standards