If you were planning on catching some waves or taking a scenic beach walk by the Pacific this week, you’re going to want to keep your flip-flops on.
Los Angeles County health officials have issued a blanket “Ocean Water Quality Rain Advisory” for every single beach in the county, warning residents and tourists alike the water is currently a bacterial breeding ground.
The Department of Public Health dropped the hammer on Sunday, cautioning the recent rainfall has turned the coastline into a drainage basin for the city’s grime.
A warning sign is posted advising against swimming in the waters off Santa Monica State Beach. AFP via Getty Images According to officials, the runoff from streets and mountains carries everything from trash and fertilizers to animal waste and human pathogens directly into the surf.
“Bacteria levels may remain elevated up to 3 days depending upon the intensity of the rain and the volume of runoff,” the department said in a statement. “Elevated bacteria levels in ocean water may cause illness, especially in children and the elderly.”
The warning isn’t just for the squeamish–it’s for the sensible. The advisory covers iconic stretches of sand from Malibu all the way to down to Long Beach.
As of now, the advisory is set to remain in place until Tuesday morning, though that timeline could be extended if more showers hit the area.
