6 LA County Beaches Unsafe For Swimming Due To Bacteria Levels

LOS ANGELES, CA — High bacteria levels prompted public health officials on Wednesday to warn against getting in the water at six Los Angeles County beaches.

The LA County Department of Public Health collects samples weekly from various sites year-round to test and monitor bacteria levels and issues warnings when levels exceed health standards.

This week, officials warned that swimming in the water at the following beaches may cause illness:

• Montana Avenue storm drain at Santa Monica Beach (100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain)
• Mother's Beach in Marina del Rey
• Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro
• Castlerock storm drain at Topanga County Beach (100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain)
• Topanga Canyon Beach in Malibu (100 yards up and down the coast from the lagoon)
• Santa Monica Pier (100 yards up and down the coast from the pier)

Meantime, an earlier warning was lifted for Pico-Kenter storm drain at Santa Monica Beach after subsequent testing found water quality had returned to state standards.

Information on beach conditions is available 24 hours a day on the county's beach closure hotline at 800- 525-5662. More information is available at the public health department's website.