News Summary
Several beaches in San Diego County, including La Jolla and Coronado, are under advisories for potential water contamination just ahead of the Fourth of July holiday. The San Diego County Department of Environmental Health warns against swimming and water activities due to elevated bacteria levels. Beachgoers are urged to check water quality reports before entering the water, as conditions may seem clean but still pose health risks. Ongoing monitoring aims to ensure safety as residents voice concerns about upcoming holiday celebrations.
San Diego – Several beaches in San Diego County are currently under advisories due to potential water contamination, just days before the Fourth of July holiday. The affected areas include La Jolla, Cardiff State Beach, Del Mar, Mission Bay, and Coronado. These advisories are issued by the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health and Quality when water samples exceed state bacterial standards.
The advisories highlight the risks associated with swimming or engaging in water-related activities at the affected beaches. Beach closures can occur due to various reasons including sewage or chemical releases, the flow of the Tijuana River, or the detection of sewage in the water. Beach advisories are lifted once follow-up water sampling indicates that bacteria levels have dropped and meet state requirements.
Despite the advisories, water conditions may appear clean and smell fresh, which can mislead beachgoers regarding the safety of the water. The Tijuana Slough shoreline has been closed since 2021 due to ongoing water contamination stemming from a cross-border sewage crisis. Similarly, the Imperial Beach shoreline from Seacoast Drive through the Imperial Beach Pier has remained closed for most of the year as a result of elevated bacteria levels linked to this crisis. Extended advisories continue at the La Jolla Children’s Pool, raising further concerns among local residents.
Residents and beachgoers have expressed apprehension about how these advisory notices may affect their Fourth of July celebrations and routine beach activities. A holiday typically marked by fireworks and beach outings is now clouded by the risk of exposure to contaminated waters. However, some locals indicate they plan to continue with their beach plans regardless of the health warnings.
County officials recommend that anyone considering entering the water check updated water quality reports available at sdbeachinfo.com before doing so. This is a crucial measure to ensure safety in light of ongoing advisories. In a prior miscommunication, earlier reports erroneously linked these advisories to concerns over domoic acid in local shellfish. In fact, these advisory notices are based solely on fecal indicator bacteria levels.
On June 5, the California Department of Public Health rescinded its warnings regarding sport-harvested shellfish in San Diego County, indicating that those concerns have been addressed. Nonetheless, water safety is currently a pressing issue as bacteria levels at various beaches remain high.
The County Department of Environmental Health and Quality is actively monitoring the water quality, conducting daily resampling in the affected areas until levels of contamination are confirmed to have subsided. This proactive approach aims to ensure public safety and restore the beaches for community use as soon as possible.
As the Fourth of July approaches, residents should remain vigilant about water quality advisories, considering that the health of the community hinges not only on the visible state of the beaches but also on the underlying water quality that may not be immediately apparent. It is important for individuals to remain informed and take necessary precautions to avoid potential health hazards during this festive season.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
San Diego Faces Water Quality Crisis at Local Beaches
San Diego Urges Action Against Tijuana Sewage Crisis
Additional Resources
- Fox 5 San Diego: San Diego Beaches Water Quality
- NBC San Diego: Coronado and Cardiff Beaches Water Contamination
- 10 News: Advisories Issued for 10 San Diego Beaches
- CBS 8: Beaches Under Water Quality Advisories Ahead of Fourth of July
- The Californian: Three California Beaches Are Bacteria Hot Spots
