Ocean Water Quality Monitoring Program

40 sites are sampled during the Dry-Weather season (April to October), and 19 sites are sampled during the Wet-Weather season (November to March). Maps of these beach locations can be found on our web page: Sample Results. Our sampling sites have been selected based on the numbers of public users and their proximity to a storm drain outfall (not outflow). Outfalls include pipes, culverts, rivers, creeks, and streams. Ocean water samples are collected in ankle-to-knee deep water and tested for three bacteria indicators: total coliform, fecal coliform, and enterococcus. These bacteria indicators, at sufficient concentrations, can indicate the presence of other strains of bacteria, viruse’s and protozoa in the ocean water that may cause illness.

Water samples are analyzed for concentrations of each of these “indicators,” and the results are compared to the State standards for bacteria. These results are entered on our web page, Interactive Map, as they become available but no later than each Thursday by 5:00 p.m.

If any of the State standards are not met, the beach is posted with warning signs advising the public to avoid body contact with the ocean water. This information is also made available on our hotline (805-662- 6555) and in press releases distributed to the media. The advisory remains in effect, and the warning sign will remain posted until the next sampling results indicate that the ocean water meets State standards for bacteria. To protect yourself from a recreational water illness, avoid body contact with ocean water should be avoided for a minimum of 50 yards on either side of each posted sign.