Avalon Harbor Beach on Catalina Island tops the list as the most polluted beach in the state, according to environmental group Heal the Bay's annual "Beach Bummer" report card.
For a first in a long time, Long Beach's coast, long-known to have a heavy polluted bay from storm drains, nearby ports, oil drilling and a breakwater that traps it all in, actually decreased in pollution this year.
Multiple locations in the city of Long Beach dropped down to seventh place in the group's annual report.
The 18th Annual Beach Report Card summarizes the results of beach water quality monitoring programs along California’s coast, from Humboldt County to San Diego County, over the last 12 months (April 2007 through March 2008). The summary includes an analysis of water quality during three time periods: summer dry season conditions (the months covered under AB411 - April through October), year-round dry weather conditions, and wet weather conditions. In addition to summarizing local water quality, the report includes a brief review of the number of sewage spills that impacted recreational waters over the past year. The information derived from this analysis is used to develop recommendations for cleaning up problem beaches to make them safe for swimming and surfing.
Avalon Beach topped the list after being a perennial statewide Bummer for five years running. A $4.5 million swimmer health effects study added Avalon Beach as a research location due to its perpetually poor water quality.
The beach sees constant boat tourism, where boaters often dump oil, waste and trash into the ocean. In addition, large cruise-size ships dock in its ports on a daily basis.
The Santa Monica Pier’s continued water quality problems was a disappointment again this year. Santa Monica, a typically environmentally conscious city, has a comprehensive plan to improve the storm drain infrastructure, diversions, and runoff treatment facility.
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