Newport on alert for spread of bacteria

Stacy Brown

WEST NEWPORT -- Local officials said Wednesday they are closely

monitoring the waters off Newport Beach for signs of the bacteria that

has closed a three-mile stretch of Huntington Beach.

“Obviously we’re concerned about this situation,” said Assistant City

Manager Dave Kiff.

On Wednesday, the County Health Care Agency added another mile to the

closure, which now includes parts of Huntington Beach from the Santa Ana

River to a mile north of the pier, after bacteria levels were found to be

at three times the state limit.

That closure followed another mile-long one on Tuesday.

Much of that stretch has been closed since early July, but the increased

area -- and the fact that the source of the bacteria remains unknown --

have put officials in Newport Beach on high alert.

“We are closely monitoring and testing the surf zone, which is Orange

Street, about seven streets down from Huntington Beach on Coast Highway,

and 52nd and 53rd, streets which are about another seven to 10 blocks

south of the rivermouth,” Kiff said.

Since the contaminants run close to Newport Beach and the area around the

Newport Bay, the county’s Department of Sanitation has begun testing

local waters three times a week, Kiff said.

Councilman Tod Ridgeway said residents need not be alarmed because local

officials are watching with a concerned and close eye.

“The county is being extra vigilant, and although we show no

contamination, we are on alert,” Ridgeway said.

Ridgeway said he hopes the problem in Huntington Beach can be identified

and cleared soon.

“It’s a concern when your neighbor can’t find a source of contamination,

so we’re keeping abreast of the testing that’s going on here,” Ridgeway

said.

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