Kirsten James (above), Heal the Bay’s director of water quality, stated:“San Diego continues to record excellent water during dry weather. But it is critical that our state decision-makers find a sustainable source of funding to make sure that continued testing takes place and the public be informed before heading to the beach.” Photo by Jeff Dillon / SignOnSanDiego
Heal the Bay, a Santa Monica conservation group that conducts coastal waters tests, has given part of Ocean Beach an A+ rating in its latest annual report. The water around the OB Pier in both dry and wet weather got this highest rating. Dog Beach did not fare as well, as it remains a troubled area due to the run-off that comes down the San Diego River.
High grades in the coastal water rating system demonstrate that there are less incidence of sickness from fecal bacterial in the surfzones for ocean users.
The report cited other County beaches that also earned A+ grades in wet and dry weather – including Fletcher Cove in Solana Beach, San Elijo State Park in Encinitas, and Coronado Beach near Loma Ave in Coronado. (I do wonder if the grades would have been different if the tests had been conducted after the rain storms of this year.)
One beach in the entire County — Vacation Isle North Cove Beach in Mission Bay — was on the list of the 10 worst in the entire State of California.
Dog Beach is one of the most-troubled beaches countywide because the River empties into the Pacific Ocean there. Other trouble areas are near creek outlets that drain large urban areas. During rainy weather the conditions are worse because storm water carries numerous pollutants to the ocean.
Besides Dog Beach, these trouble areas include Los Penasquitos Lagoon outlet at Torrey Pines, the San Luis Rey River mouth in Oceanside, and the Tijuana Slough near the U.S.-Mexico border.
Here is the Heal the Bay Press Release for San Diego County.
Here is the full Heal the Bay report.
The following is the article from SignOnSanDiego:
by Mike Lee / May 26, 2010
SAN DIEGO — Just one spot in the county — Vacation Isle North Cove Beach in Mission Bay — made the list of the 10 worst “beach bummers” in California, announced today by Heal the Bay.
State budget cuts have reduced the amount of testing this year and last but Heal the Bay’s report remains among the most authoritative assessments of beach water quality statewide. The conservation group based in Santa Monica has issued annual report cards on coastal water quality since 1990.
“San Diego continues to record excellent water during dry weather,” said Kirsten James, Heal the Bay’s director of water quality. “But it is critical that our state decision-makers find a sustainable source of funding to make sure that continued testing takes place and the public be informed before heading to the beach.”
For the remainder of the article, go here.
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I know a dog who had e-coli poisoning at the beginning of this year. The dog’s owner thought it was from the filthy water at dog beach.
Saw an interesting clip a few months ago on the local news about a researcher’s theory that bacteria is higher in the SAND then in the water. Either way, I don’t need me or my dog getting sick from filthy ocean water.
Yesterday morning, Dog Beach was foamy yellow as it broke on shore. Ewwww…..
The City (aka the Mayor) wants to dredge channels and make OB’s grades even worse. If you care about pollutants, toxins and just physical trash being at your beach…you should speak up and let them know about it. The planning board has this issue on the agenda tonight at the Rec center at 6pm. Speak up and be there OBceans.