Heal the Bay's California Beach Report: Long Beach The Worst

Cover of the 17th Annual Beach Report Card for 2006-2007.
Overall, statewide water quality was above average this past season due primarily to record-low rainfall.

Los Angeles County has 7 of the 10 most polluted beaches in California, led by a dramatic drop in water quality in the Long Beach area.

Heal the Bay released its 2006-2007 Annual California Beach Report Card on May 23, 2007, assigning an "A" to "F" letter grade to more than 500 beaches throughout the state based on their levels of bacterial pollution.

Heal the Bay's Annual Beach Report Card is a comprehensive evaluation of California coastal water quality based on daily and weekly samples gathered at beaches from Humboldt County to the Mexican border. A poor grade means beachgoers face a higher risk of contracting illnesses such as stomach flu, ear infections, upper respiratory infections and skin rashes than swimmers at cleaner beaches.

Heal the Bay believes the public has the right to water quality information to help make informed decisions about where to safely swim, surf and enjoy the ocean water. The Beach Report Card is a public service, helping everyone understand which beaches they can visit without fear of getting sick.

Statewide Water Quality Above Average

Statewide, water quality this season has been above average due in large part to the record-low rainfall recorded in much of California.From San Luis Obispo County north to Humboldt County, over 90% of the northern California beaches earned an "A" grade. Most beaches in the state continue to have safe levels of bacteria during the summer months, especially open ocean beaches.

However, for the second straight year, Los Angeles County had the worst overall beach water quality in the state, including seven of the ten lowest-rated beaches (otherwise know as "Beach Bummers" - see sidebar at right) in the survey.

Long Beach Suffers Dramatic Drop in Water Quality

In Los Angeles County, the Long Beach area suffered a dramatic drop in water quality during the last year. Long Beach saw 24 of 28 reporting locations register a "C," "D" or "F," a dramatic change for a city that has a history of good water quality. As a result, the city of Long Beach has the dubious distinction of being ranked as the #1 "Beach Bummer" in this year's report (see sidebar at right).

Long Beach has traditionally fared well in the Beach Report Card despite the fact its beaches are completely enclosed by a breakwater. Typically, beaches located inside a breakwall are more prone to poor water quality than open ocean beaches, but this has not been an issue for Long Beach except at Colorado Lagoon.

Heal the Bay plans to work quickly with officials in Long Beach to get to the bottom of the dramatic change in their water quality, and begin making recommendations for improvements immediately.

Beach Bummers - L.A. County Leads

Like last year, Los Angeles County played a prominent role in this year's "Beach Bummers" list (see sidebar at right), which exposes the ten most contaminated beaches in California. Seven of the state's top ten polluted shores are in L.A. County, which had the state's lowest grades. The others on the top ten Beach Bummer list were in San Mateo, Sonoma and Santa Barbara Counties.

Ranking fifth on the "Beach Bummer" list is Surfrider Beach in Malibu, one of the world's most famous beaches. 2007 marks the sixth time in the last seven years Surfrider has made the "Beach Bummer" list, proving a beautiful beach isn't necessarily a clean beach. Also, nearby Marie Canyon beach, placing third on the Beach Bummer list, is adjacent to the famous and picturesque Malibu Colony.

Dry Weather - Most Beaches Have Excellent Water Quality

According to the 2006-2007 report, overall water quality in dry weather continues to be good, meaning that the majority of California's beaches are in great condition for swimming and surfing throughout the upcoming summer season. Approximately 82% of the beaches monitored statewide received a grade of "A" or "B", meaning very good to excellent water quality.

However, only 57% of L.A. County beaches scored an "A" or a "B" letter grade in dry weather. Santa Barbara County trailed everyone but L.A. County by earning 75% A's and B's.

In comparison, 86% of San Diego County, 89% of Orange County and 90% of Northern California saw their beaches attain dry weather grades of "A" or "B" in this year's report, surpassing the statewide average.

Wet Weather - The Disparity Continues

As in past years, there continues to be a great disparity between dry and wet weather, when water quality typically plummets, due to the pollution that rain flushes through the storm drain system and into the ocean.

While 74% of the beaches monitored in Southern California during summer dry weather received "A" grades, that number dropped to only 40% during wet weather, with 27% of the beaches monitored receiving an "F" grade.

Beach Report Card Grading Methodology

The grading methodology utilized in the 2006-2007 Beach Report Card is endorsed by the State Water Resources Control Board and the California Beach Water Quality Work Group.

Sponsors

Heal the Bay's Beach Report Card is made possible through the generous support of Ford Motor Company. Ford has supported Heal the Bay since 1995. The Goldhirsh Foundation and simplehuman also provide generous support. - Health The Bay Press