Wanna Swim? Shred Waves? Not for 3 Days, Says Heal the Bay
After today's rainfall, the first significant shower since March, Heal the Bay urges Southlanders to steer clear of the Pacific for the next 72 hours. Swimmers are also advised to avoid contact with storm water that pools or streams along the beach.
Urban runoff carried through the 5,000 mile-long storm drain system serves as the main source of pollution to Santa Monica and San Pedro bays. Receiving no treatment, the runoff flows onto shorelines and into the sea through the network of open channels, catch basins, drain pipes and streams.
Referring to today's shower as the "first flush," Heal the Bay explains in today's release that accumulating debris and toxins on sidewalks, roadways and riverbeds are flushed into the storm drains. This pollution harms marine life, poses health risks to humans and hinders tourism. Human illnesses related to runoff exposure most commonly include respiratory infection and stomach flu. Human pathogens of unknown origins are also frequently carried in storm-drain gutters, adds Heal the Bay.
“Our region’s water bodies are likely to see significantly higher pollution levels after this rain event,” said Kirsten James, Heal the Bay’s director of water quality. “With so many year-round ocean users now, it’s critical that they stay out of the water for awhile.”
Heal the Bay offers the latest water quality grades for more than 500 California beaches online.
