Unhealthy Bacteria Levels Discovered at Area Beaches

Warning signs have been posted today at several San Mateo County recreational water locations after unhealthy levels of bacteria were found on Monday morning during routine testing.

The county's Department of Environmental Health says anyone that enters the water in contaminated areas does so at their own risk; there may be a risk of illness associated with swimming. The warnings are an advisory rather than a quarantine or beach closure, and are posted when bacterial standards have exceeded state swimming standards but there is no confirmed source of contamination.

Based on samples taken on Monday, May 13, 2013, San Mateo County has posted warning signs (indicating that a swimmer may become ill after water contact activities) at these areas due to elevated levels of indicator bacteria:   Ocean beaches found with so-called "indicator bacteria" include:  

• Pillar Point #9 (Beach south of Boat Launch)
• Pillar Point #5 (Capistrano Beach)
• Pillar Point #8 (Path to Maverick's)

• San Pedro Creek
• South Roosevelt Creek