Marking significant improvement, overall water quality at California beaches this summer was excellent. Record low rainfall this year, which limited polluted urban runoff in storm drain systems, played a major role in better water quality. Did your favorite beach make the grade?

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.