beaches

PATHOGENS POSE RISK AT 75 PERCENT OF CALIFORNIA BEACHES

Advocates call for continued investment in water infrastructure

East County News Service

July 29, 2023 (San Diego) - As Californians return to local beaches this summer, a new report warns that more work is needed to ensure that all waters are safe for swimming. In 2022, 197 beaches were potentially unsafe for swimming on at least one day, according to Environment California Research and Policy Center’s latest analysis of bacteria testing, titled Safe for Swimming?


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COUNTY ADDING NEW WARNING CATEGORY TO INFORM BEACHGOERS; NEW BEACH CLOSURES FROM BORDER TO CORONADO

Source: County of San Diego

June 30, 2022 (San Diego) -- On July 1, the County of San Diego will begin using a new beach water safety category and signs at local beaches in its continuing efforts to educate and protect the public’s health. The system rolls out just as a new round of beach health warnings was issued yesterday for beaches from the border north through Coronado’s beaches due to contamination from sewage in Mexico.


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RAIN BRINGS URBAN RUNOFF TO BEACHES

Source: County of San Diego

 

October 5, 2021 (San Diego) -- The San Diego County Department of Environmental Health and Quality (DEHQ) has issued a General Rain Advisory to avoid water contact at all coastal beaches and bays due to recent rainfall. Swimmers, surfers and other water users are warned that rain brings urban runoff, which can cause bacteria levels to rise significantly in ocean and bay waters, especially near storm drains, creeks, rivers, and lagoon outlets. Urban runoff may contain large amounts of bacteria from a variety of sources such as animal waste, soil, and decomposing vegetation. Bacteria levels can remain elevated after a rainstorm depending upon the intensity of the storm, volume of runoff and ocean conditions.


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STATE ASKS SAN DIEGO-AREA CITIES TO CLOSE BEACH PARKING LOTS

By Chris Jennewein, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  The parking lot at Oceans Beach Pier. File photo by Chris Stone

July 4, 2020 (San Diego) - The California Office of Emergency Services sent a letter to city officials in San Diego, Imperial Beach, Coronado, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas, Carlsbad and Oceanside imploring them to also close beach parking lots.


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GOVERNOR HEEDS LOCAL LEADERS’ REQUESTS, CLOSES ONLY ORANGE COUNTY BEACHES

By Miriam Raftery
 
Photos by Rebecca Jefferis Williamson at Pacific Beach
 
April 30, 2020 (San Diego) – After crowds packed Newport Beach in violation of social distancing mandates amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Gavin Newsom today ordered Orange County beaches to shut down. But he backed off a broader order that Reuters News Service reported was under consideration, which could have closed all beaches statewide.

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BEACH SHUT-DOWN PROTESTERS ARRESTED

By Miriam Raftery
 
April 25, 2020 (Encinitas) – The San Diego Sheriff arrested three protesters today for violating county and state orders against public gatherings during the COVID-19 emergency. The action follows several similar rallies around the county.
 
The protest at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas drew 75-100 demonstrators who called for beaches to be opened. 
 
According to Lt. Amber Baggs, “Several protestors walked onto the beach and sat as deputies began speaking to them regarding the County Public Health Order. The people were given multiple opportunities to comply with the state and county orders. Three attendees refused and were arrested.”

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COUNTY OPENING BEACHES TO SWIMMING, SURFING, OTHER WATER SPORTS ON MONDAY

By Chris Jennewein, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Network

Photo:  Lifeguards enforce the closure of city beaches. Photo by Chris Stone

April 24, 2020 (San Diego) - San Diego County officials announced Friday that coastal cities may reopen beach access for swimming, surfing, paddleboarding and kayaking on Monday.

“The ocean is a symbol of who we are as San Diegans, and it is appropriate at this point that we open up limited access to the ocean as a step in our continued progress,” said Fletcher at the county’s daily media briefing during the coronavirus pandemic..


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BALMY WEATHER BRINGS WARMEST OCEAN IN 100 YEARS AT SAN DIEGO BEACHES

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

August 4, 2018 (San Diego) – Looking to beat the heat?  The ocean waters off San Diego are the warmest in a century—reaching a balmy 78.6 degrees Fahrenheit on August 1st to break an all-time record.


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RAIN BRINGS URBAN RUNOFF TO COUNTY BEACHES

 

Source: County of San Diego

December 30, 2016 (San Diego) -- The Department of Environmental Health has issued a General Advisory for the coastal waters of San Diego County due to recent rainfall. Swimmers, surfers, and other ocean users are warned that levels of bacteria can rise significantly in ocean and bay waters, especially near storm drains, creeks, rivers, and lagoon outlets that discharge urban runoff. Urban runoff may contain large amounts of bacteria from a variety of sources such as animal waste, soil, and decomposing vegetation. While many coastal storm drains within San Diego County are permanently posted with white metal warning signs, additional temporary warning signs are not posted for General Advisories. Activities such as swimming, surfing and diving should be avoided in all coastal waters for 72 hours following rain. This includes all coastal beaches and all of Mission Bay and San Diego Bay. Elevated bacteria levels can persist after a rainstorm depending upon the intensity of the storm, volume of runoff and ocean and current conditions. 


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BILL TO BAN SMOKING AT STATE BEACHES AND PARKS PASSES STATE SENATE

 

By Miriam Raftery

June 1, 2016 (San Diego) -- Smoking or vaping at state beaches and parks, or disposing of tobacco products at these locations, may soon be illegal under Senate Bill 1333, a measure authored by Senator Marty Block, a San Diego Democrat.  The measure passed the State Senate by a 25 to 11 bipartisan vote this week and next heads to the Assembly.


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RAIN BRINGS URBAN RUNOFF TO COUNTY BEACHES

January 25, 2013 (San Diego) – The Department of Environmental Health has issued a General Advisory for the coastal waters of San Diego County due to recent rainfall. Swimmers, surfers, and other ocean users are warned that the levels of bacteria can rise significantly in ocean and bay waters, especially near storm drains, creeks, rivers, and lagoon outlets that discharge urban runoff. Urban runoff may contain large amounts of bacteria from a variety of sources such as animal waste, soil, and decomposing vegetation. While many coastal storm drains within San Diego County are permanently posted with white metal warning signs, additional temporary warning signs are not posted for General Advisories. Activities such as swimming, surfing and diving should be avoided in all coastal waters for 72 hours following rain. This includes all coastal beaches and all of Mission Bay and San Diego Bay. Elevated bacteria levels can persist after a rainstorm depending upon the intensity of the storm, volume of runoff and ocean and current conditions.


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FROM THE CHIEFS CORNER: WATER SAFETY

 

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna,  East County Magazine “In-House” Fire Chief
July 21, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--The hot weather is among us and many of us will (or already have) head for the water… Pools, lakes, ponds, and beaches mean summer fun and cool relief from hot weather. But water also can be dangerous for kids if you don't take the proper precautions. Nearly 1,000 kids die each year by drowning. And most drownings occur in home swimming pools. It is the second leading cause of accidental death for people between the ages of 5 and 24. 

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MEXICAN SEWAGE SPILL IMPACTS LOCAL WATER QUALITY

 
Existing Water Contact Closure for Border Field Park and Tijuana Sloughs to Remain                         
     
April 25, 2012 (Tijuana, Mexico) -- An estimated 2 million gallon sewage spill occurred yesterday in Mexico. The spill, which was caused by a broken sewer line in Rio Alamar drainage, started 12:00 PM and ended at 12:00 AM midnight yesterday. None of the sewage was recovered so all of it flowed into the Tijuana River. 


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