Beach Water: Safety First

It’s curious that county health officials in Southern California have balked at implementing a 1997 state law that standardizes testing for ocean pollution along the region’s most popular beaches. The officials have resisted because they believe the required health warnings to swimmers might unduly alarm them when there is no particular danger of becoming ill from contaminated water.

Mark Gold of Heal the Bay is correct when he says the delays are not in the best interests of public health. The state should adopt the regulations now and the counties should put the program into operation.

It has been up to counties whether to post beach warnings when water became a health hazard because of contamination, especially near storm drains after heavy runoff or breaks in sewer lines. Los Angeles was one county that regularly tested the water and put up warnings. But there was no standard method of testing for contamination by bacteria such as fecal coliform.

The new law, sponsored by Assemblyman Howard Wayne (D-San Diego), established statewide standards for posting beaches as hazardous beginning April 1. But San Diego and Ventura county health officials, with support from Los Angeles County, protested that the tests could increase the number of health warnings even when there was no increase in the risk of illness. Orange County officials have been concerned about alarming swimmers unnecessarily. A state official said the new regulations could be adopted now and altered later if necessary.

A 1996 Santa Monica Bay study confirmed that polluted runoff from storm drains was making swimmers and surfers ill with colds, sore throats, diarrhea and other illnesses. A much wider study, reported by The Times today, confirms that outlet areas might remain dangerous even when runoff is low.

The county health officials said the constant posting and removal of warning signs would be confusing to beach-goers. But anyone who is especially susceptible to infection certainly would want to avoid any risk even if others might swim in the same water without becoming ill. Any confusion could easily be overcome with a modest education program. Southern Californians are advised daily of the potential hazard of varying levels of air pollution. It’s better that swimmers be warned of possible risk before plunging into the deep.