Swimming Banned at 45 Beaches

After heavy rains this week, 45 Ventura County beach areas are posted with “No Swimming” signs because of excessive bacteria in the water.

Water-quality tests failed to meet minimum health standards at Rincon Beach, La Conchita Beach, Mussel Shoals Beach south of the pier, Oil Piers Beach, Hobson County Park, Rincon Parkway North, Faria County Park, Mandos Cove, Solimar Beach, Emma Wood State Beach, Seaside Wilderness Park, Surfers Point, Promenade Park, San Buenaventura State Beach, Peninsula Beach/Harbor Cove, South Jetty Beach, Surfers Knoll, McGrath State Beach, Mandalay County Park, Oxnard Shores, Oxnard State Beach, Hollywood Beach, Silver Strand Beach, Port Hueneme Beach Park, Ormond Beach, Point Mugu Beach, Sycamore Cove Beach, Hobie Beach and Channel Islands Beach Park, among other areas.

Swimmers should keep at least 50 yards from each side of the closure signs to avoid bacteria, Environmental Health Division officials say.

Pollution has been a problem at Hobie and Channel Islands beaches since September 1999. Officials at the health division are continuing to try to identify and eliminate the sources of the bacteria contamination.

Weekly beach testing occurs at 53 sites in Ventura County, and results can be obtained by calling the county’s ocean water-quality hot line at 662-6555 or visiting the division’s Web site at https://www.ventura.org/env_hlth/ocean.htm.