Beach Closures
Two Ventura County beaches--Hobie Beach and Channel Islands Harbor Beach Park in Oxnard--remain posted for no swimming this weekend because of water pollution.
Tests this week by Ventura County health officials show unsafe conditions in the surf at both beaches, which have been closed for nearly one year, with the cause of the pollution still a mystery. New tests are being prepared to identify the source of coliform bacteria, and officials hope remedies will eventually be found to reopen the beaches.
Swimmers, waders and surfers should keep at least 50 yards from each side of posted warning signs to avoid contamination in ocean water. Weekly beach testing occurs at 53 locations in Ventura County, and results can be obtained by calling the county ocean water quality hotline at 805-662-6555 or visiting the Web site at www.ventura.org/env_hlth/ocean.htm.
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