Swimming Halted at Santa Fe Dam Park; Bacteria Level Cited

Bacteria associated with human feces has forced the closure of the swim beach at Santa Fe Dam Park in Irwindale through the Labor Day weekend, officials said.

The bacteria appear to have come “from people using the swim area for a bathroom,” said Phil Hester, director of the county Department of Parks and Recreation’s eastern region.

Health officials found high levels of enterococcus and coliform that could cause vomiting, diarrhea and cramps in humans, said Dr. Caswell Evans, assistant director of the county’s Department of Health Services.

The illnesses are normally minor, he said, but infection with the bacteria could be more serious for “people in compromised health and young children. A passing illness for an adult could be serious for a child.”

Signs have been posted at the swimming area prohibiting swimming and extra patrols of Parks and Recreation Department workers are scheduled to enforce the no-swimming rule.