Los Angeles County coastal waters this summer contained the highest levels of harmful bacteria measured during the last five years, accumulating more failing grades for human health standards than any other swimming beaches in California.
The popular Surfrider Beach in Malibu and Cabrillo Beach in the backwaters of San Pedro Bay were on the list, as they have been for the last several years.
Extraordinarily high bacteria counts also surfaced throughout the summer in the near-shore waters next to the Santa Monica and Redondo Beach piers, just off Dockweiler and Will Rogers state beaches, and along the more isolated beaches at Latigo Point and Paradise Cove -- despite millions of dollars spent on cleanup.
None of this came as a surprise to surfers such as Cory Bleumling, a Cal State Northridge graduate student who recently experienced head congestion, chills and diarrhea after one surfing session.
"It's always a little nasty out here, a bit of funk," Bleumling said Wednesday, emerging from the surf at Malibu, a longboard tucked under his arm. Every time he paddles out, he said, there's some health risk. "It's like going to Mexico. You might get sick, or you might not."
The failing grades, compiled by nonprofit environmental group Heal the Bay, were recorded as Los Angeles County and its cities face a state deadline of July 31 to make waters healthful for swimming every day during the summer -- or face hefty fines.
The unhealthful conditions are blamed on multiple sources, including sewer spills, pet waste, fertilizer, oil and other pollution washing off lawns and pavement and ultimately into the sea.
"The city needs to make this its top environmental priority, said Los Angeles Councilman Jack Weiss. He noted that Los Angeles voters overwhelmingly endorsed $500 million in bonds to clean up city waterways and coastal waters. "We need to keep faith with them and keep faith with the [Clean Water] law."
Los Angeles County is considering its own bond measure to step up its effort, officials said.
"We've been attacking runoff pollution on several fronts, including public education and enforcement of illegal dumping" laws, said Ken Pellman, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works. "The least expensive way to clean up beaches and ocean water is to change public behavior."
