Imperial Beach Coast Closed by Dirty Water

The coastline along Imperial Beach was closed Wednesday because of contaminated water. Warning signs were posted as far as the city’s northern limits, a county Department of Health Services spokeswoman reported.

Testing of the water off Imperial Beach revealed high amounts of bacteria, the spokeswoman said. The above-normal levels are believed to be the result of runoff from recent rains and a large sewage spill in Tijuana that was not officially reported.

The coast from the U.S.-Mexican border to Seacoast Drive has been posted on and off for quite some time because of contamination in the Tijuana River, the spokeswoman said.

Warning signs are posted from the southern end of Seacoast Drive in Imperial Beach as far north as Carnation Avenue. The beach will remain closed until daily testing shows that the water is safe for swimming and other body contact.