Public Health Advisory issued for water at local beaches
KSBY
and last updated 2021-03-11 00:42:05-05
Public Health officials are warning people to stay out of the water at local beaches after the most recent rainstorm.
Health officials say the public should avoid ocean water during, and at least three days following, a significant rainfall because storm runoff can carry high levels of disease-causing organisms like bacteria, viruses, and protozoa from urban areas to the ocean, and they can cause skin, respiratory, and intestinal problems.
For information on beach water quality in San Luis Obispo County, click here or call the Ocean Water Monitoring Program Telephone Hotline at (805) 788-3411.
Ryan Fish / KEYT
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY, Calif. - The San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department is advising the public to avoid touching ocean water both during, and at least three days following, significant rainstorms.
The county said rainstorm runoff is known to transport high levels of disease-causing organisms such as bacteria, viruses and protozoa from the watershed and urban areas to the ocean.
These organisms are known to cause skin, respiratory, and intestinal problems.
Young children, older adults and people with compromised immune systems are especially vulnerable to these waterborne pathogens.
Residents are advised to avoid contact with ocean water during this period,
–The County of San Luis Obispo Public Health Department is advising the public to avoid ocean water contact during, and at least three days following significant rainstorms – such as the recent and predicted storms.
Rainstorm runoff is known to transport high levels of disease-causing organisms such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoa from the watershed and urban areas to the ocean. Such organisms carried into the ocean can cause skin, respiratory, and intestinal problems. Young children, older adults, and people with compromised immune systems are especially vulnerable to these waterborne pathogens.
Surfers, swimmers, and others are advised to avoid contact with ocean water during this period, especially in areas close to creeks, rivers, storm drains, and other runoff outlets that empty into the ocean.