Orange County beaches score high for water quality in summer; turn dirtier when it rains

The good news is that 97% of Orange County beaches scored an “A” or a “B” for summer water quality in Heal the Bay’s 2018-2019 Beaches Report Card released Wednesday, higher than the statewide “A” and “B” rate of 94%.

Of the 33 California beaches making the environmental group’s Honor Roll with perfect grades, 10 were in Orange County.

The bad news is that the 17 inches of rain this winter — nearly twice the historical average —  resulted in just 56% of county beaches receiving top grades on wet winter days. Statewide, just 54% of all beaches received an “A” or a “B” during wet weather.

Additionally, two Orange County beaches were among the 10 worst “Beach Bummers” in the state. Also, four county beaches that last year made the group’s Honor Roll fell off the 2019 list.

“Rain washes pollutants and contaminants into the ocean thus lowering water quality,” says the report, which used water quality data from county health agencies. “Beachgoers who recreate at beaches after a rain event have an increased risk of contracting ear infections, eye infections, upper respiratory infections, skin rashes and gastrointestinal illness.

“Approximately 1 million ocean beachgoers contract illnesses each year in Los Angeles and Orange counties, with total healthcare costs of $20 (billion) to $50 billion.”

Contributing to the region’s dirty water over the past year were 28 sewage spills in Orange County, 96 in Los Angeles County and November’s Woolsey Fire in the Malibu area.

Heal the Bay recommends avoiding the water at beaches with a “C” grade or below and staying out of the ocean at all beaches for three days after it rains. The Santa Monica-based group’s NowCast app and NowCast online site predicts daily water quality at more than 20 beaches.

Climate change’s effect

With scientific assessments that climate change is leading to more extreme periods of rainfall, and more extreme wildfires, the report notes a domino effect resulting in dirtier ocean water.

“Major wildfires … can have a big impact on water quality because fires damage sewage infrastructure and increase the amount of runoff due to vegetation loss,” the report says.

After the Woolsey Fire — during a seasonal period Heal the Bay defines as “dry winter” — only 57% of the Malibu beaches received grades higher than “C.” That was a marked change from the previous five years, when the 87% of those beaches received an “A” or “B” during dry winter months.

“Governments, leaders and the public must take immediate action to mitigate the effects of climate change and pollution,” the report says. “Many local governments have made enormous efforts to identify and eliminate runoff entering the ocean, but across the board there are still improvements to be made.”

The report notes steps that have been taken at specific locations to improve water quality. On a larger scale, more than two thirds of Los Angeles County voters last year approved Measure W, which will result in $300 million in new annual parcel taxes to be used to capture storm runoff and reduce pollutants entering the ocean.

Beach Bummers

The report defines three types of beaches and how they differ in water quality. Open beaches without obstructions or urban runoff tend to get the best scores in both wet and dry weather. Meanwhile, those that have stream, river and storm-drains flowing into the ocean tend to score poorly. So do enclosed beaches, which include those found at marinas, harbors and lagoons.

Topping the report’s 10 Beach Bummers statewide is the San Clemente Pier, which is affected by runoff during rains and dry periods because of a nearby storm drain. Another problem for San Clemente Pier — one that’s common for many piers — is birds congregating and defecating into the ocean.

The study noted steps the city has taken to try tackle the problem, including installing bird netting under the pier. Additionally, a city Ocean Water Quality Subcommittee was formed in April and the city currently is conducting a tracking study to help identify sources of bacteria in the water.

Also on the Beach Bummers list is Monarch Beach at Salt Creek, near Dana Point’s five-star Ritz Carlton resort. The beach is also affected by dry-weather storm-pipe runoff. The city has installed a facility to treat water flowing from Salt Creek and has implemented a bird abatement program, according to the report.

Honor Roll

Orange County led the state last year with 14 beaches on the Honor Roll, meaning they received perfect scores year round. The count fell to 10 beaches in this year’s report and was surpassed by San Diego County’s 12 beaches with perfect scores.

The total number of Honor Roll beaches statewide dropped to 33 from 37 last year. Los Angeles went from having eight on the list to two.

Orange County’s 2018-2019 Honor Roll beaches:

• San Clemente: Avenida Pico, Avenida Calafia, Linda Lane Beach
• Dana Point: Dana Strands Beach, Dana Point Harbor Youth Dock, South Capistrano Bay Community Beach
• Laguna Beach: Victoria Beach,  El Moro Beach
• Huntington Harbour in Huntington Beach: Trinidad Lane Beach, Coral Cay Beach