Health Officials: Stay Out of Water At 3 Santa Cruz Beaches
Amy Larson
KSBW
08/09/2011
Health officials warned beach bums to stay out of the water Tuesday at three Santa Cruz beaches because of high bacteria levels.
The three beaches are: Cowell Beach west of the wharf, Main Beach east of the wharf, and Rio del Mar Beach.
It is unsanitary for swimmers to enter the water until the advisory is called off, County of Santa Cruz Health Services officials said. Several signs have been posted to warn swimmers.
Despite their often-high bacteria pollution levels, Cowell Beach and Main Beach are two of the most popular beaches on the Central Coast.
Thousands of summer tourists seeking fun at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk often stop to relax at the surrounding beaches: Cowell and Main. Cowell Beach is also known as one of the best places in the world to learn how to surf.
But Cowell Beach is the dirtiest beach in the entire state, according to a 2011 report by Heal The Bay. The nonprofit environmental group tested and compared bacteria levels at nearly 600 California beaches.
Ocean water pollution is most often caused by urban lagoons, storm drains and stream discharges trickling across the sand and into the water, health officials said.
The San Lorenzo River drains directly into Cowell Beach, while Aptos Creek flows into Rio Del Mar Beach.
"Waters with increased bacteria concentrations has been associated with increased risks to human health, such as stomach flu, nausea, skin rashes, eye infections and respiratory illness," according to Heal The Bay.
