Beaches get posted warnings

Warnings were posted this week at three Laguna beaches where

bacterial levels exceeded healthful standards as determined by the

Orange County Environmental Health Division.

None of the three beaches were closed, but signs were posted

warning swimmers that the level of fecal bacteria in the water could

cause disease, said Monica Mazur of the environmental health

division.

Warnings at two South Laguna beaches, Thousand Steps and Three

Arch Bay, covered 300 feet each on Tuesday, and swimmers 150 feet

north and south of Hotel Laguna were also warned. No Laguna beach has

had a posted warning since Sept. 4, and the last beach closure in

Laguna was at Sleepy Hollow from Feb. 2 to 4, Mazur said.

“These three beaches rarely have any problems, but there have been

some real high tides lately,” Mazur said. “We’re guessing the high

tides are picking up extra bacteria from the sand, but Laguna’s been

generally very good lately. With all the diversions they’ve set up,

we rarely have to post or close anything.”

The environmental health division tests for three kinds of

bacteria, and all three beaches came up heavy on pathogenic

enterococcus, which can cause complicated abdominal infections, skin

and skin structure infections, urinary tract infections and

infections of the blood stream. The bacteria is found in the fecal

matter of several animals, including humans, Mazur said.

“Parents often choose not to let their children swim in the water

at a posted beach, but surfers rarely care if the waves are good

enough,” Mazur said.

Signs at Thousand Steps Beach were removed Wednesday evening,

while the other two remained posted.

-- Mike Swanson