Warnings issued for 9 LA Co. beaches due to high bacteria levels

High bacteria reported in waters near Santa Monica Pier

Health officials are warning visitors there are high levels of bacteria at the water near the Santa Monica Pier.

LOS ANGELES - As the heat wave continues, Southland residents might be inclined to cool off at the beach — but the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Monday issued an Ocean Water Use Warning for nine area beaches, advising people to avoid swimming, surfing or playing in waters due to high bacteria levels.

The affected beaches are:

Avenue I storm drain at Redondo County Beach, 100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain
Bluff Cove at Palos Verdes Beach, entire swim area
Hermosa Beach pier, 100 yards up and down the coast from the pier
Malaga Cove Creek at Palos Verdes Beach, entire swim area
Manhattan Beach pier, 100 yards up and down the coast from the pier
Marie Canyon storm drain at Puerco Beach, 100 yards up and down the coast from the public access steps
Malibu Lagoon State Beach at Surfrider Beach, 100 yards up and down the coast from the public restrooms
Sapphire Street Extension at Redondo County Beach, 100 yards up and down the coast of Sapphire Street
Santa Monica pier, 100 yards up and down the coast from the pier.

The Santa Monica Pier as sunshine finally returns to the southland on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 in Santa Monica, CA. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

The health department Monday also lifted an earlier warning for Topanga Canyon Beach in Malibu, where the agency said recent sample results were within state standards.

The county has a 24-hour hotline providing updated information on beach conditions at 1-800-525-5662. A map of affected locations is also available at PublicHealth.LACounty.gov/Beach/.