Westside Beaches Receive Mediocre Ratings for Water Quality

By John Schreiber

Several beaches on the Westside scored poorly in water-quality ratings from The Natural Resources Defense Council, which recently released its annual guide to water quality at beaches across the United States.

The beach ratings, ranging from one to five stars, judged beaches based on a number of factors, including frequency of water testing and proper noticing of the public when bacteria levels in the water exceeded health standards. 

Only 13 beaches across the nation received 5-star ratings, with four in Orange County. Five-star beaches received the high marks for strong water testing standards as well as low bacteria violation rates. 

A stretch of Will Rogers State Beach in front of the Pulga storm drain near Pacific Palisades scored well, earning four out of five stars, while other parts of the beach scored in the 2 to 3-star range.

Here's how some of the other Westside beaches scored:

• Malibu Lagoon, in front of lifeguard tower | 2/5 stars.
• Surfrider Beach in Malibu, at the last known breech | 2/5 stars.
• Malibu Pier, 50 yards east of the pier | 2/5 stars
• Santa Monica State Beach, in front of Santa Monica Canyon storm drain | 3/5 stars (in front of Ashland storm drain, 2/5 stars; Strand Street extended, 2/5 stars; at Santa Monica Pier, 3/5 stars)

Beaches graded by the organization received one star for each of the following criteria met: 

1. Local officials post advisories without re-sampling.
2. Closings/advisories posted online and at beach.
3. Less than five percent of water samples exceeded national standards in 2010, 2011, and 2012.
4. Less than five percent of water samples exceeded national standards in 2012
5. Water quality monitored more than once a week

To see more beach ratings in Los Angeles County and across the nation, visit the Natural Resources Defense Council's website.