Santa Barbara County CA : SAFETY OF OCEAN WATER AND BEACHES(1)

PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT

300 N. San Antonio Road • Santa Barbara, CA 93110

[phone] • FAX [phone]www.countyofsb.org

PRESS RELEASE

News Media Contact: Susan Klein-Rothschild, MSW Deputy Director

January 18, 2018

[phone] [phone] (cell)[e-mail]

SAFETY OF OCEAN WATER AND BEACHES

(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) - Ocean water samples taken on Tuesday, January 16, were tested for bacteria levels on Wednesday, January 17. Test results reveal that levels of bacteria do exceed standard levels in ocean water at some beaches. The following beaches will remain closed:

• • Arroyo Burro

• • Carpinteria State Beach

• • East Beach at Mission Creek

• • East Beach at Sycamore Creek

• • El Capitan State Beach

• • Hope Ranch Beach

• • Goleta Beach

• • Summerland Beach

In addition, ocean waters at the following beaches remain closed until further notice:

• • Butterfly Beach

• • Hammond Beach

People should not enter the water when levels of bacteria highly exceed standard levels. The Public Health Department will continue to test ocean water for microbial contaminants.

Based on test results, the following ocean water beaches will be open:

• • Gaviota State Beach

• • Refugio State Beach

• • Leadbetter Beach

• • Sands Beach at Coal Oil Point

In addition, ocean water is open at the following beaches:

• • Guadalupe Dunes

• • Jalama Beach

Out of an abundance of caution, in support the recovery and mitigation process, the Public Health Department urges the public to respect the buffer zone of 400 feet of beach area on both sides where sendiments from the mud flows are being placed. We ask that you avoid the buffer zone, which is marked by the orange fencing.

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SAFETY OF OCEAN WATER AND BEACHES 1-1-1

The Thomas Fire followed by the significant rainfall and resulting flood is an unprecedented event. There are unknown amounts of untreated sewage and possible chemical contaminants in the water and sand. If the sand or water look or smell out of the ordinary, avoid contact.

Ocean Water testing results are listed below. The standard for each category is listed in black. The test results are listed in red.

Sites	Total Coliform (MPN*)	Total Coliform State Health Standard (MPN*)	Fecal Coliform (MPN*)	Fecal Coliform State Health Standard (MPN*)	Enterococcus (MPN*)	Enterococcus State Health Standard (MPN*)
East Beach @ Sycamore Creek	1,130	10,000	253	400	305	104
East Beach @ Mission Creek	1,842	10,000	63	400	153	104
Leadbetter Beach	552	10,000	31	400	86	104
Arroyo Burro Beach	2,495	10,000	98	400	472	104
Hope Ranch Beach	19,863	10,000	465	400	2,098	104
Goleta Sandspit	>24,192	10,000	3,448	400	>24,192	104
Goleta Beach - East Buffer Zone	5,475	10,000	717	400	2,613	104
Goleta Beach - West Buffer Zone	>24,192	10,000	3,873	400	>24,192	104
El Capitan	>24,192	10,000	3,654	400	>24,192	104
Refugio State Beach	413	10,000	175	400	20	104
Gaviota State Beach	110	10,000	10	400	<10	104
Sand @ Coal Point	74	10,000	10	400	31	104
Carp St. Beach	>24,192	10,000	4,794	400	-	104
Summerland	>24,192	10,000	2,755	400	-	104

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