Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.

KPCC Archive

LA sanitation officials will now give boaters clear signs if the LA river is safe

Kayakers on the L.A. River near Marsh Park during the opening day of the new "recreation zone."
Kayakers on the L.A. River near Marsh Park during opening day in 2013.
(
Mary Plummer/KPCC
)

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

Listen 1:04
LA sanitation officials will now give boaters clear signs if the LA river is safe

The summer kayaking season opens this weekend on the Los Angeles River. And just in time, the city Sanitation department has a new website where you can check how clean the water is.

The new protocol comes after KPCC reported last year that E.coli bacteria levels were 100 times higher than federal standards but local officials who knew didn't have the authority to close the river to recreational users.

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today