LOS ANGELES COUNTY : Bacteria Levels May Be High, Beach-Goers Warned
Los Angeles County health officials issued a reminder to beach-goers Tuesday that bacteria levels can rise significantly in water adjacent to storm drains during and after a rain.
The elevated bacterial levels may last for as long as 72 hours after a storm, so swimmers should stay away from water near storm drains and beach users should avoid contact with any storm drain discharge. The runoff may contain large amounts of bacteria from several sources. Sewage normally is not present because the sewer system is separate from the storm drain system.
Analysis of water samples taken from drain discharge points after storms indicates that the water can exceed state bacteriological standards. Water on either side of a drain also can register high bacteria counts, depending on such factors as amount of discharge and ocean currents and tides.
The county Department of Health Services analyzes ocean water on a weekly basis around the more active storm drains. If tests indicate a serious or unusual problem, the department orders the affected area closed to swimmers.
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