Pollution-Related Beach Closures More Than Doubled Last Year : Environment: The increase, from 61 to 125 days, is blamed on spills at aging sewage facilities. County has replaced water-testing program with cheaper, limited alternative because of bankruptcy.

The number of days that pollution closed beaches in Orange County more than doubled from 1993 to 1994, contrasting with a slight decrease in closures nationwide, said a report released Wednesday.

Orange County attributed its closures mainly to sewage spills, while elsewhere in the United States storm runoff was cited as the major culprit when the public was barred from beaches, said the report by the Natural Resources Defense Council.

The report is significant in light of the county junking its water-testing program six months ago in the wake of the bankruptcy. County officials now say they are replacing the program with a cheaper, limited alternative.

According to the report, Orange County beaches were closed 125 days in 1994, more than double the 61 days in 1993. That compares to about 2,300 days of closures nationally, down from the 2,400 the year before.

In Los Angeles County, the report shows a significant decrease in beach closures, from 50 in 1993, to only 12 in 1994.

“We need our public safety protected,” said Elon Hasson, Orange County chairman of the California Public Interest Research Group, after releasing the report here. “That should be a priority. People should know what’s in the water, that it’s not always 100% safe.”

He decried the county’s decision to curtail its water testing program.

“I would like to see the monitoring increase, not decrease,” Hasson said. “The lack of consistent monitoring basically leaves swimmers and surfers in the dark as to what’s out there.”

Orange County officials attributed the county’s dramatic jump in beach closures to aging sanitation facilities, particularly in and around Laguna Beach, where most of closures occurred.

“I think you’ve got older sewage treatment facilities that need to be upgraded,” said Patti Schooley, the county’s district supervisor for coastal facilities.

Terry Brandt, Laguna Beach’s director of municipal services, said the city has taken steps in recent years to control the problem.

In addition to adding an expensive system to provide early warnings of possible leaks, he said, Laguna Beach has installed several backup generators to operate pump stations in case of electrical outages, hired a part-time engineer to work exclusively on sewer projects, and replaced aging pipelines.

“We’re doing the best that we can,” Brandt said. “We’re working hard to control it.”

Until earlier this year, the county took weekly water samples from 120 sites up and down the coast to test for fecal coliform, a bacterial indicator of the sewage and filth that can cause swimmers to experience such symptoms as diarrhea, swollen glands, sore throats and headaches.

That program was discontinued Jan. 10 because of the bankruptcy, according to Monica Mazur, a county environmental health specialist.

Since then, Mazur said, the county has relied on the regular tests conducted by several coastal sanitation districts that are required by state law.

Recently, she said, the county’s Environmental Management Agency secured enough funding from coastal cities and private sources to resume its own testing, but on a limited basis, bringing the total number of sites being tested each week to 89.

“I don’t think that health is being compromised,” Mazur said.

Not everyone on the beach, where the report was released during a press conference, would agree, however.

While environmental activists held their press conference at the Santa Ana River jetty, several surfers watched warily.

“I’ve got a sore throat right now from surfing,” said Philip Stanton, 31, a Laguna Niguel resident who said he takes to the ocean daily. “I used to never be sick, now I’m sick at least once a month. I’m always taking antibiotics so I can enjoy the ocean. It’s sad, but it’s the price you have to pay.”

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Dirty Beaches Orange County ranked fourth in California for the number of days its beaches were closed to water recreation in 1994. Of the counties surveyed, the five with the most beach closures: *

Santa Cruz: 27 Orange: 125 San Mateo: 159 San Francisco: 260 San Diego: 296

Individual Effort Here are 10 ways to help reduce coastal pollution and avoid ocean contaminants:

1. Conserve water 2. Flush toilet less often, especially during heavy rains 3. Monitor septic systems annually; have sludge removed every 3 to 5 years 4. Pick up animal waste when walking your pet and dispose of it in garbage 5. Use natural fertilizers and minimize pesticide use. 6. Dispose of boat sewage in onshore facilities 7. Learn about water quality at local beaches by asking local health officials 8. Choose beaches that are carefully monitored with strict closure or advisory procedures 9. Wade or bathe without submerging your head 10. Support local, state and federal legislation promoting beach cleanups Source: Natural Resources Defense Council