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Lynn
We have a few creeks and/or storm drains that run across our beaches seasonally. They are usually flowing only in the winter with a couple that flow most of the year. After they flow, sometimes they form large ponds until they dry out. We have the same problem in that the kids play in the water because it is considerably warmer. We are constantly trying to educate the parents that the water ponded in front of storm drains are full of bacteria. When the storm drains flow we post a sign that states "CONTACT WITH STORM DRAIN WATER, RUNOFF AND THE AREA WHERE RUNOFF ENTERS THE OCEAN MAY CAUSE ILLNESS, NO SWIMMING." The sign also has an illustration of a swimmer with a slash through it. The message is also repeated in Spanish. A picture of the sign can be seen here:
In addition, most of our major storm drains and creeks are posted with a permanent signs that states "Historical sampling data results gathered at this location indicate that bacterial levels exceed health standards. The County Health Officer cautions that contact with ocean water at this location may increase risk of illness. Visitors are advised to stay a minimum of 50 yards away from both sides of creek mouths or storm drains." The sign also has the same illustration of the swimmer and the message is repeated in Spanish. I have attached a picture of that sign.
When we have a rain event, we issue a Rain Advisory warning people not to go in the ocean during rain and 72 hours after rainfall ends. We post the information on our website, hotline, and ask our PIO to issue a press release. Sometimes it's picked up by the media and broadcast, sometimes not.
Eric Edwards, R.E.H.S.
Chief Environmental Health Specialist County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health Water Quality Program 626-430-5420 eedwards@ph.lacounty.gov >>> "Schneider, Lynn (ECY)" <LYSC461@ECY.WA.GOV> 04/24/2008 15 01 >>> Hello, We have a few beaches that have freshwater creeks running through them. Of course the kids are in the creeks more than the chillier beach water. A few of these beaches drain from heavily populated, urban watersheds. We want to put signs up to teach people about the increased bacterial levels that occasionally occur after a heavy rain. If you don't have signs, do you have catch phrases like, "When it rains, it drains. Give the creek 48 hours after a rain before playing in the water." Do you post the creek or have auto closures based on rain events? Thank you for your help! Lynn
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