July 18, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

LA County Beaches Decline in Beach Report Card:

Heal The Bay, the Santa Monica-based environmental organization, has been issuing report cards for beach water quality for 21 years. Water quality is assessed based on samples collected through regular monitoring of beaches throughout the state.

Heal the Bay’s analysts assigned A through F letter grades to 92 L.A. County beaches during the dry-weather periods from March 2010 to April 2011. The assessments were based on weekly samples of bacterial pollution. This year’s report had 75 percent of the beaches receiving A or B grades in contrast to 80 percent of beaches with A or B grades last year. The probable cause for the decline can be attributed to, among other factors, higher than usual rainfall totals during the reporting period.

Overall, wet weather water quality in L.A. County showed poor results, with only 25 of 87 beaches (29 percent) receiving A or B grades compared to 50 percent last year.

The condition of water around parts of Malibu was poor during dry weather at all times of the year. Paradise Cove and Solstice Canyon at Surfrider Beach earned F grades; Marie Canyon storm drain scored a D; Surfrider and Topanga beaches received Fs.

Attempts have been made to improve Malibu water quality with the installation of a new wastewater treatment facility and sewers at the Paradise Cove Mobile Home Park, and a new runoff facility at the bottom of the watershed. While similar facilities have yielded good results at Santa Monica Pier, the Malibu facilities may have been handicapped by kelp wrack and algae that Heal the Bay has observed at the outflow of the treated water.

However, the overall quality of Santa Monica Bay beaches during the summer was excellent. Ninety-one percent of the beaches from Palos Verdes to Leo Carillo Beach received A or B grades, the same percentage as last year, and a better figure than the 7-year average of 82 percent.

Santa Monica Pier is a notable success story when it comes to recent Heal the Bay report cards. Thanks to the runoff diversion project and storm drain replacements paid for by funds from Measure V, passed in 2006, water quality around the Pier has received improved grades (A grades during both year-round dry weather and the summer dry time period). Santa Monica Pier has consequently been removed from the report card’s list of “Top Ten Beach Bummers.”

This year’s list of Top Ten Beach Bummers (beaches throughout California) shows that L.A. County beaches are still having major problems. The list includes: 1. Cowell Beach at the wharf, Santa Cruz County; 2. Avalon Harbor Beach, Catalina Island (L.A. County); 3. Cabrillo Beach, harborside (L.A. County); 4. Topanga Beach at the creek mouth (L.A. County); 5. Poche Beach, Orange County; 6. North Beach/Doheny (Orange County); 7. Arroyo Burro Beach (Santa Barbara County); 8. Baker Beach at Lobos Creek (San Francisco County); 9. Colorado Lagoon (L.A. County); and 10. Capitola Beach, west of the jetty (Santa Cruz County).

Beaches in Orange County and Ventura County, with a few exceptions, scored excellent grades, although wet weather water quality in Orange County was down this year.

It should be noted that bacteria sample collection in Orange and Ventura counties is done 25 yards or more away from flowing drains and creeks, while sampling in L.A. County is done directly in front of flowing storm drains and creeks, with the result that L.A. County beach grades reflect the pollution collected directly from those waters.

Another factor that might be affecting grades is the reduction of funds due to Governor Schwarzenegger’s 2008 line-item veto of state beach monitoring funds. Some local governments have found temporary funding sources to cover the cost of monitoring. At this time, there is no secured state funding for ongoing testing of ocean water quality for 2012, a situation that could put an end to over half of the beach monitoring in the state.

The full report card can be read at healthebay.org

in News
<>Related Posts

Man Arrested in Brentwood for Impersonating Firefighter During Palisades Fire

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The suspect faces at least 28 criminal counts—including 23 felonies—spanning incidents from 2023 to May 2025 Federal and local law...

West Coast Premiere of ‘The Opposite of Love’ Opens at Hudson Backstage Theatre

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Produced by Neil Gooding Productions, behind shows like Back to the Future: The Musical, the play runs Thursdays through Saturdays at...

Study Highlights Economic Impact of Cap-and-Trade Extension in Los Angeles

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders are pushing to reauthorize the program this year, citing its role in generating 287,000...

Film Review: Superman

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

“This movie is packed with storyline, Superman lore, meaningful objects, and action.” writes Kathryn Whitney Boole Rated PG-13129 MinutesReleased July...

Multiple Drug Arrests Reported in Palisades Park in Recent Weeks

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

SMPD Reported Several of the Arrests Between June 29 and July 5 The Santa Monica Police Department reported several drug-related...

(Video) Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The outpost is a first for the popular influencer Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?...

Mayor Bass Hails National Guard Withdrawal as Victory for Unity

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The Pentagon’s decision to reduce the troop presence follows weeks of legal challenges and public demonstrations Mayor Karen Bass celebrated...

DUI Checkpoints to be Conducted Across LA This Weekend

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The LAPD selects checkpoint sites based on data indicating high incidents of impaired driving-related crashes and arrests The Los Angeles...

SMPD to Conduct Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Operation on Friday

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The focus will be on speeding, illegal turns, failing to yield or provide right of way to cyclists or walkers,...

Dodgers to Host Back to School Bash for Fire-Affected Families

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The free event will offer free groceries, school supplies, outfits, haircuts, medical screenings, and carnival rides The Los Angeles Dodgers...

LA Sees Second Straight Year of Homelessness Decline, Leaders Celebrate Progress

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The survey, designed by the University of Southern California, reported a 17.5% drop—the largest two-year decrease on record The Los...

LAPD Seeks Missing 63-Year-Old Man Known to Frequent Playa Vista

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

His family last heard from him via a group text on June 22 The Los Angeles Police Department’s Missing Persons...

Santa Monica Offers City-Owned Properties for Affordable Housing Development

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The move aims to address the city’s Regional Housing Need Assessment of 8,895 units, with a goal of producing at...

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...

Venice Beach to Host First Medal at 2028 Olympics

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Venice Beach, known for its vibrant boardwalk, will kick off the 844 ticketed events, hosting the triathlon along its coastline...