Recent Storms Brings More than Just Rain to the Bay

(SANTA MONICA) January 25, 2010 – As heavy rain fell in Los Angeles, Santa Monica High School students in the Surfrider Teach & Test program hit the beach to see how the rain is affecting water quality in the Santa Monica Bay.  These environmentally-conscious students have been monitoring enterococcus bacteria levels in the ocean year round and have been seeing moderately normal results, which suggests that our ocean has been relatively safe for swimming and surfing.  Results from this past week, however, have been quite shocking, with bacteria levels weighing in at more than double what the EPA considers safe.

Bacteria levels at the Santa Monica Pier were 223, which is 119 organisms per milliliter higher than the EPA safety threshold of 104. The Pico-Kenter storm drain at the end of Pico Boulevard had bacteria levels that averaged at 120, and Ocean Park sampled at 331. Students also tested water quality at the storm drain underneath the Santa Monia Pier, which the city replaced last year due to leaks that were causing poor water quality grades.  Bacteria levels in the storm drain runoff were a scary 7,915—more than 75 times higher than what the EPA considers safe.

Students advise highly against surfing or swimming during and after these heavy rains—despite the swell the storm may bring.  “It’s best to stay out of the water for at least 72 hours after it rains in LA,” states Zack Gold, a student in the program, “this is when bacteria levels are the highest, increasing your likelihood of getting sick.” Katie Rowbotham, another student in the program adds, “Fecal bacteria is just one of the many harmful things urban runoff carries, which can include trash, cigarette butts, pathogens and even heavy metals.”

Shocked by their findings, these committed students are even more inspired to be involved in doing everything possible to make their ocean a clean and safe place for fun.  For more information about the program, or to find out how you can help prevent urban runoff, visit: http://teachtestsm.blogspot.com/.