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Adios, Drought: Showers Are Back On At California State Beaches
(Photo by Dylan Andersen via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr)
The drought presented a number of dangerous conditions for California, from ferocious wildfires to dead trees toppling over. Another (possibly hazardous) side effect of the drought? Beachgoers speckled with sand and reeking of sea water.
What happened was that, in the summer of 2015, the showers at California's state beaches were shut off as part of the state's water conversation efforts. Some people complained, saying that it was a matter of public health, as beach-goers may be more prone to infections if they're not allowed to rinse off.
Well, the drought is over now, which means that the showers are back on at beaches in Southern California. As reported at the OC Register, you can shower again at Orange County locales like Doheny State Beach, Bolsa Chica State Beach, Huntington State Beach, Corona del Mar, Crystal Cove, San Clemente State Beach and San Onofre just south of San Clemente.
Not all rinsing areas are back on track, however. State Parks officials say that they'll have to evaluate the condition of certain rinse stations before they'll be turned back on. In San Onofre, some of the showers are reportedly damaged by crumbling sand.
Furthermore, it should be noted that not all beaches in Southern California had their showers shut off—in fact, beaches in L.A. County kept their showers running, as county and city-operated beaches were allowed to just, like, ignore the mandate. Dockweiler and Will Rogers beaches, which were handed over to L.A. County by the Parks and Recreation Department in 1975, kept the water flowing for their visitors.
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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.
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