Water Quality Information

County of Santa Cruz Environmental Health Services

 

Current Advisories or Closures: Week of April 25, 2011

WATER QUALITY ADVISORY:

Cowell Beach, west of the wharf, now has bacteria levels that meet safe swimming standards. This area had been posted with a swimming advisory since April 20 due to high bacteria levels. This area is now considered safe for swimming, surfing and other water contact sports. New Brighton Beach has elevated bacteria levels and should be avoided.

All other beaches tested this week met safe body contact standards.

Click Here to View Latest Water Quality Results.


THE FOLLOWING AREAS ARE PERMANENTLY POSTED BY THE COUNTY DUE TO ROUTINELY HIGH BACTERIA LEVELS:

Aptos Creek at Rio del Mar Beach

Porter Gulch Creek at New Brighton Beach

Soquel Creek mouth at Capitola Beach

Schwan Lagoon at Twin Lakes Beach

San Lorenzo River mouth

Neary Lagoon at Cowell Beach

THESE WATER BODIES AND ADJACENT AREAS GENERALLY CONTAIN BACTERIA LEVELS ABOVE SAFE BODY CONTACT STANDARDS AND ARE CONSIDERED UNSAFE FOR BODY CONTACT.

The County of Santa Cruz Environmental Health Service provides water quality information to concerned swimmers to alert them to areas that may be contaminated by fecal indicator bacteria.

You may listen to the latest water quality updates by dialing (831)454-3188 and listening to the menu to find information about fresh water lagoons and ocean beaches. Click here for Recreational Water Quality Monitoring information.

For clarification of methods and interpretation of results please contact Steve Peters at (831)454-5010 or e-mail @ env032@co.santa-cruz.ca.us.

If you believe you may have been exposed to illness through water contact, please fill out an Illness Report.


MUSSEL QUARANTINE ISSUED

The Department of Health has issued an early quarantine on sport harvested bi-valve shellfish including mussels, clams and oysters, for the State of California coastal waters, including Santa Cruz County due to elevated levels of organisms that cause paralytic shellfish poisoning and domoic acid poisoning. This quarantine period, typically from May 1st through October 31st, is based on the potential for red tides during these months, which can cause shellfish to become toxic due to paralytic shellfish poisoning and/or domoic acid. This quarantine does not apply to commercial shellfish purchased in stores or restaurants.

Other websites for further information:
Visit the Surfrider Water Quality Web Site
Links to Ocean Monitoring in Other Counties
Link to California's Safe to Swim Webportal
Links to California Coastal Beaches Report Card