Health Advisory Up at Surf City

High bacteria levels along the coast of Huntington Beach have prompted the county to advise against swimming in several popular spots over the last month, causing fear that last summer’s beach closures that devastated the city’s tourist season may recur.

“It raises a level of concern that we’re starting to see the same thing we did last year,” said Monica Mazur, spokeswoman for the Orange County Health Care Agency.

With the discovery in recent weeks of escalating bacteria levels, swimmers and surfers are urged to avoid 300 feet of coastline near Magnolia Street; certain bacteria levels are nearly double the legal limit. The bacteria, which are found in human and animal waste, soil and decaying vegetation, indicate that disease-causing agents may be present, Mazur said.

Since March 19, the county has recorded unhealthful bacteria levels at least 11 times along the Huntington Beach coast.

The levels are not high enough to warrant a closure, although health officials are worried because they made similar bacteria findings before last summer’s two-month closure of much of Huntington Beach.

Despite millions of dollars spent during the last 10 months, the source of last summer’s bacteria scare has not been found. Although urban runoff and decaying plants from a nearby marsh are suspected factors, studies are ongoing.

City officials said the latest county warnings underscore the need to find the pollution’s source.

“Naturally, we’re very worried. . . . We want no one swimming in waters with any pollution whatsoever,” Councilwoman Shirley S. Dettloff said. “From Day One, we’ve said . . . there’s a problem and we’ve got to resolve it. That’s still the marching order.”

Beachgoers--and the people who rely on their money--were worried Wednesday.

Jack Clapp, owner of Dwight’s concession stand, said he lost 90% of his business selling burgers and fries and renting in-line skates and bodyboards during last summer’s closure.

“My fear is we’re going to have the same thing this year,” he said.

Two summers in a row could kill Surf City’s sunny image among tourists, he added. “They’re already suspicious about what’s going on. It could be devastating.”

However, dozens of people were frolicking in the tainted water Wednesday afternoon.

Signs warning of high bacteria levels were posted at parking lots and on the back of lifeguard towers.

Surfers at Huntington Beach said they would head to other beaches, perhaps Crystal Cove or Trestles, if the mysterious closure recurs this summer.

Will Holly, 17, of Huntington Beach said he does not want to go elsewhere but isn’t about to give up surfing four times per week.

Swimming in water contaminated by sewage or urban runoff can lead to gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, as well as eye, ear, nose and throat infections. Children and the elderly are especially susceptible.

Environmentalists said pollution flowing onto Orange County’s picturesque 42-mile coastline is a persistent problem that must be stopped.

“This is a harbinger of the way things are going on the West Coast of the United States,” said Christopher J. Evans, executive director of the Surfrider Foundation, based in San Clemente.

“There are many reasons why we should take better care of Mother Earth and Mother Ocean: One, it’s inherently the right thing to do. Two, the coast is a $17[-billion] to $18-billion economic engine that this kind of persistent loss of recreation is going to slow down.”

About 20 miles south of Huntington Beach, a sewage spill closed about 600 feet of coast surrounding Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point on Wednesday. About 300 gallons leaked from a nearby sewer line blocked by roots and rags, said Larry Honeybourne, program chief of the county Health Care Agency’s water quality section. The beach will be closed until at least Saturday.

A section of Seal Beach also remains closed after being polluted Sunday by at least 21,000 gallons of untreated waste.

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Water Warning

Officials are warning swimmers and surfers to avoid the water along a 300-foot stretch of Huntington State Beach because of unusually high bacteria counts.

Source: Orange County Health Care Agency

Water Warning, PAUL DUGINSKI / Los Angeles Times