Swim warning at all LA County beaches as bacteria levels spike

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued a dire warning against swimming at any beaches in the area after recent rainfall likely elevated the already-high levels of bacteria.

The agency announced the “Ocean Water Quality Rain Advisory,” effective through noon Saturday, on Wednesday afternoon — with the caveat that it could be extended if it rains again.

“Beach users are cautioned to avoid water contact for at least 72 hours after rainfall,” the department wrote on Facebook.

It said Tuesday night’s storm likely carried runoff from storm drains, creeks and rivers to the county’s 20 major beaches, causing “potentially higher bacteria levels.”

Officials added that the stormwater runoff also could’ve dragged injurious debris, including fallen branches and logs, into the sea.

People in sensitive groups, particularly children, the elderly and anyone with pre-existing health conditions, could become ill if they enter the ocean while the advisory is in effect.

Dr. Amalia Almada, of the University of Southern California’s Sea Grant Program, previously cautioned that because LA is essentially “one big watershed,” anything from germs to debris easily “finds its way from our stormwater drains to our oceans.”

Many Los Angelenos, though, are already abundantly aware of the silent killers stewing in their oceans.

In late January, the environmental nonprofit Heal the Bay dropped its “Beach Report Card” ranking beaches with the best and worst water quality on California’s coast.

The report used an A-F grading system, testing water samples for harmful bacteria including three key fecal indicator bacteria: total coliform, fecal coliform and Enterococcus species.

Only seven beaches in LA County made the “honor roll,” a distinction given to beaches with the safest water quality.

LA County wasn’t named to the honor roll in the last two iterations of the report, but narrowly made the cut this year thanks to pristine beaches in Malibu and the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

Santa Monica Pier was informally dubbed the grossest beach in California, according to the report card.