What is this indicator?
Why is it important?
How are we doing?
During 2015, there were a total of 60 beach warnings issued during wet weather months. This is close to three times the number of beach warnings issued in 2010. By 2021, the city must drastically lower these numbers to no more than 17 beach warnings during wet weather months.
To address these elevated bacterial levels, funds from the Clean Beaches and Ocean Parcel Tax, Measure “V”, were used during 2009. The first project funded by this tax, Pier Storm Drain Improvement Project was completed in 2009. It eliminated the output from the Pier storm drain as a source of beach water contamination during the dry season. The pigeon exclusion project was implemented under Measure V in 2009 to improve water quality by installing bird netting under a small inter-tidal section of the Santa Monica Pier. Though the netting project showed an initial improvement, the netting proved to be ineffective and difficult to maintain long-term. As a result, bacteria levels under and near the Pier are up again.
How can I help?
- Do your part to keep Santa Monica beaches clean by picking up your trash and recycling.
- Participate in organized beach cleanups with Heal the Bay or Surfrider.