Pillar Point Harbor at End of West Point Ave. Graded "D" on Beach Report Card

A Southern California non-profit organization this morning listed three San Mateo County beaches with low "D" ratings based on water-quality monitoring done by the county, including Pillar Point Harbor at the end of West Point Avenue in Half Moon Bay.

Heal the Bay, an environmental group that dedicates itself to making coastal waters healthy and clean also lists San Mateo's Aquatic Park, and San Mateo's Lakeshore Park behind the recreation center as having "D" grades during the dry summer weather of April through October.

According to Heal the Bay, the 2011 Beach Report Card is based on the routine monitoring of beaches conducted by local health agencies and dischargers. Water samples are analyzed for bacteria that indicate pollution from numerous sources, including fecal waste. The better the grade a beach receives, the lower the risk of illness to ocean users. The report is not designed to measure the amount of trash or toxins found at beaches.  This is the 21st year of the report card.

Here is a full listing of San Mateo County beaches that received grades in the report card:

PACIFICA

• Sharp Park Beach, projection of San Jose Avenue (A+)
  
• Sharp Park Beach, projection of Birch Lane (A+)
  
• Rockaway Beach at Calera Creek (A+)
  
• Linda Mar Beach at San Pedro Creek (A+)
  

MONTARA

• Montara State Beach at Martini Creek (A+)

MOSS BEACH

• Fitzgerald Marine Reserve at San Vicente Creek (B)

HALF MOON BAY

• Surfer's Beach, south end of the riprap (A+)
  
• Dune's Beach (A+)
  
• Venice Beach at Frenchman's Creek (A+)
  
• Francis Beach at the foot of the steps (A+)
• Pomponio State Beach at Pomponio Creek (A+)
  
• Roosevelt Beach, south end of the parking lot (A)
• Pillar Point: #8 Mavericks Beach, West Point Avenue (A)
• Pillar Point Harbor, end of West Point Avenue (D)

PESCADERO

• Gazos Beach at Gazos Creek (A+)
• Bean Hollow State Beach (A)
• Pescadero State Beach at Pescadero Creek (B)

SAN MATEO

• Coyote Point (A+)
• Aquatic Park (D)
• Lakeshore Park, behind the Rec Center (D)

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO

• Oyster Point (A)
  

Heal the Bay says that storm drain runoff is the greatest source of pollution to local beaches, flowing untreated to the coast and often contaminated with motor oil, animal waste, pesticides, yard waste and trash.  The organization suggests never swimming within 100 yards of a flowing storm drain at the beach, in any coastal waters during a rainstorm, and for at least three days after a storm has ended.

Heal the Bay goes on to say the report card "should be used like the SPF ratings in sunblock – beachgoers should determine what they are comfortable with in terms of relative risk, and then make the necessary decisions to protect their health."