Several of California’s famous beaches are among the dirtiest on the West Coast due to sewage discharges and pollution, according to a new report.
Ten beaches along the California and Baja California coast, including around the Santa Monica Pier, received the worst rating for their water quality in Heal the Bay’s annual report released Wednesday.
The assessments are based on water samples tested for faecal contamination taken during the dry periods between April and October last year.
Many coasts experienced high levels of bacterial contamination as rainfall overwhelmed sewage systems and washed pollutants into the sea.
“One of the reasons for poor water quality in much of Southern California is the urbanization of our communities,” Tracy Quinn, executive director and president of Heal the Bay, told the Los Angeles Times.
Beaches along the coast of California and Baja California, including around the Santa Monica Pier (pictured), received the worst water quality ratings on the West Coast.
Linda Mar Beach (pictured) is affected by pollution from San Pedro Creek, which carries municipal wastewater directly there.
“Almost every square inch is covered by buildings, concrete or asphalt, and that means more rainwater picks up more pollution and ends up in coastal waters.”
Due to increased rainfall, about 38 million gallons of wastewater entered the sea and coastal waters this year, the report said.
California’s coastal counties received 31 percent more rainfall than the ten-year average.
The Tijuana River estuary ranks as the dirtiest due to ongoing sewage problems. Over 100 billion gallons of raw sewage from Mexico’s Tijuana River have been discharged into the Pacific Ocean in the last five years due to inadequate sewage infrastructure.
A significant portion of the raw sewage comes from Tijuana’s impoverished colonias (residential areas), where residents lack adequate housing due to poverty, says Fay Crevoshay, communications and policy director for the international nonprofit WILDCOAST.
Imperial Beach, once a popular surfing destination, has fallen victim to decades of sewage and has been dubbed “America’s smelliest beach.”
Playa Beach, Tijuana Slough, Border Field State Park and El Faro are all on the list because they have been affected by sewage from the Tijuana River.
In Santa Monica – a celebrity playground and home to A-listers like Matt Damon, Bradley Cooper and Adam Levine – the famous pier is plagued by bird droppings and city runoff, contributing to its poor water quality.
Linda Mar Beach in affluent Pacifica is heavily polluted by the San Pedro Creek, which channels runoff water from the city directly into the beach.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median home value in Pacifica was $1.19 million in 2022.
Tijuana Slough (pictured) – and other beaches along the Tijuana River – suffer from ongoing sewage problems due to inadequate infrastructure
Border Field State Park (pictured) is affected by severe sewage pollution from the Tijuana River
According to the report, Lakeshore Park faces pollution problems due to its location in a network of stagnant water canals in San Francisco Bay.
Mother’s Beach is stuck in a vicious loop of pollution due to its cramped location in Marina Del Rey – where Ice Cube lives in a $7.25 million mansion – which limits wave action and water circulation.
Chemicals, garbage and feces pose a threat to human health and marine ecosystems.
Experts recommend avoiding going into the water in California for 72 hours after a rainfall, paying attention to pollution warnings and showering after swimming.
