The L.A. County Department of Public Health issued an advisory on Monday about polluted water around Santa Monica Pier. It said that latest testing shows high levels of bacteria, and that people should stay out of the water 100 yards on either side.
Why it matters: Santa Monica Pier is one of the most visited coastal attractions in Southern California.
What’s causing the pollution? It seems to be fecal matter, AKA poop. But where it’s coming from, and whether it’s human or animal? Nobody knows.
What's next: Heal the Bay says it's teaming up with the city of Santa Monica to form a task force to help work out where the pollution is coming from.
L.A. County officials have issued an advisory warning people not to swim, surf, or play in the water 100 yards on either side of Santa Monica Pier due to high levels of bacteria.
Public health officials warn that people who swim in water with these contaminants could develop rashes, ear and upper respiratory infections and stomach bugs.
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LA County issues pollution warning for water around busy Santa Monica Pier
Heal the Bay, which issues a weekly beach pollution report card based on its own testing, says the area is a repeat offender.
“From a scale of A-plus to F, in 2025 the Santa Monica Pier has gotten only Fs,” said Naomi Meurice, a water quality data analyst at Heal the Bay.
The good news is that water quality about 100 yards on either side of the Santa Monica Pier is much better.
A sign on a Santa Monica Beach warns of water contamination.
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Heal the Bay
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An important question about the pollution remains unanswered: where is the bacteria coming from?
“ I wish I knew the answer and I wish I could tell you, but unfortunately, it's not super clear to us what exactly is causing all of this pollution,” Meurice said.
She noted that the results show it’s mostly fecal matter, but it’s not known if it’s from people or animals.
Meurice said a task force formed by Santa Monica and Heal the Bay in the next few months will start working to find an answer.
