Ocean Water Use Warning for Los Angeles County Beaches
Summary
LA County Dept. of Public Health issued water contact advisories for five ocean beach areas on April 24, 2026, due to bacterial levels exceeding California health standards. Pico-Kenter storm drain at Santa Monica Beach, Santa Monica Pier, Escondido Creek at Escondido State Beach, Castlerock Storm Drain at Topanga County Beach, and Topanga Canyon Beach in Malibu are all under warning. Two previously affected areas—Sweetwater Canyon Storm Drain at Carbon Canyon Beach and Latigo Shore Drive in Malibu—have been cleared after water samples returned to acceptable levels.
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GovPing monitors LA County Public Health for new healthcare & life sciences regulatory changes. Every update since tracking began is archived, classified, and available as free RSS or email alerts — 7 changes logged to date.
What changed
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has issued ocean water use warnings for five specific beach locations due to bacterial contamination exceeding state health standards. Affected areas include Pico-Kenter storm drain at Santa Monica Beach, Santa Monica Pier, Escondido Creek at Escondido State Beach, Castlerock Storm Drain at Topanga County Beach, and Topanga Canyon Beach in Malibu. The warnings advise the public to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters within 100 yards of each identified location. Two previously warned areas have been cleared based on acceptable follow-up sample results. Beachgoers and recreational water users should monitor the county's beach hotline at 1-800-525-5662 for real-time condition updates and avoid contact with ocean waters at the flagged locations until advisories are lifted.
Public health authorities, beach safety managers, and local government agencies responsible for coastal recreation areas should track these advisories as they represent routine water quality monitoring outcomes. The affected beaches span Santa Monica and Malibu coastal zones, indicating broader water quality challenges in these heavily-used recreational corridors. Continued monitoring and compliance with state bacterial standards will determine when advisories are removed.
Archived snapshot
Apr 27, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
LISTING OF DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH PRESS RELEASES
313 N. Figueroa Street, Room 806 | Los Angeles, CA 90012
| (213) 288-8144 | media@ph.lacounty.gov
For Immediate Release:
April 24, 2026
Ocean Water Use Warning for Los Angeles County Beaches
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health advises the public to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters at the following Los Angeles County beaches due to elevated bacteria levels that exceed state health standards:
BEACH AREA WARNINGS:
The warning applies to the following locations:
· Pico-Kenter storm drain at Santa Monica Beach. Santa Monica South Tower 20
100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain.
· Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica
100 yards up and down the coast from the pier.
· Escondido Creek at Escondido State Beach
100 yards up and down the coast from the creek.
· Castlerock Storm Drain at Topanga County Beach
100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain.
· Topanga Canyon Beach in Malibu
100 yards up and down the coast from the lagoon.
REASON FOR WARNING:
These warnings are issued because recent water samples showed bacterial levels exceeding health standards, which may increase the risk of illness.
BEACH AREAS NOW CLEARED:
Warnings have been lifted for the following beach areas where recent sample results identified water quality levels within State standards:
· Sweetwater Canyon Storm Drain at Carbon Canyon Beach
· Latigo Shore Drive in Malibu
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Recorded information on beach conditions is available 24-hours a day on the County’s beach hotline: 1-800-525-5662. To View map of impacted locations and learn more, visit: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/beach
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Source document text, dates, docket IDs, and authority are extracted directly from LA County Health.
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