Water Contact Closure Lifted Along Silver Strand Shoreline

SAN DIEGO — County environmental health officials lifted an ongoing closure of coastal waters Wednesday along the Silver Strand shoreline after water testing found it safe for recreational use.

The San Diego County Department of Environmental Health first issued the water-contact closure last Thursday between the Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge and Border Field State Park after rainfall caused sewage- contaminated water in the Tijuana River to flow into U.S. waterways.

The department expanded the closure to the Imperial Beach shoreline later that day and to the Silver Strand shoreline last Friday. County officials regularly issue beach closures after rainstorms due to contaminated flows from the river. The closure to the Imperial Beach shoreline will remain in effect indefinitely until water sampling shows it is safe.

Residents seeking information on the Tijuana River can contact the San Diego division of the International Boundary and Water Commission at 619- 662-7600.

Residents also can find information on beach closures at sdbeachinfo.com or by calling 619-338-2073.

– City News Service