Health officials advise avoiding swimming, surfing and water contact at five locations.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued an ocean water use warning Thursday for five Los Angeles County beaches after recent water samples showed bacterial levels exceeding state health standards, increasing the risk of illness.
The warning applies to the following locations, with advisories covering 100 yards up and down the coast from the specified points:
– Malibu Lagoon at Surfrider Beach, near the public restrooms.
– Castlerock Storm Drain at Topanga County Beach.
– Escondido Creek at Escondido State Beach.
– Marie Canyon Storm Drain at Puerco Beach.
– Santa Monica Canyon Creek at Will Rogers State Beach, near Will Rogers Tower 18.
Public health officials recommend that people avoid swimming, surfing or playing in ocean water at these sites until further notice.
The department also announced that warnings have been lifted at four previously affected areas where follow-up samples showed water quality now meets state standards:
– Leo Carrillo State Beach in Malibu.
– Mother’s Beach in Marina del Rey.
– Pulga storm drain at Will Rogers State Beach, near Will Rogers Tower 5.
– Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica.
Warnings are typically issued after bacteria levels—often from urban runoff, storm drains or creek outflows—exceed thresholds set by state and federal standards. The county monitors beaches year-round and updates conditions based on sampling results.
