COUNTY OF MONTEREY
HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Nationally Accredited for Providing Quality Health Services
News
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California outdoor marijuana cultivators to designate products by growing region
10/15/2020 3:07:32 PM
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Monterey County Taps State Grant to Target Youth Cannabis Use, Illegal Market
10/7/2020 3:26:54 PM
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CDFA Releases Modifications to the Proposed Regulations for the Cannabis Appellations Program
10/5/2020 8:42:56 AM
Public Beaches: Water Quality
Published on November 10, 2016. Last modified on September 04, 2020
Click here to read the Monterey County Herald Labor Day Press Release
Click on links below to get information about Beach COVID Status:
City of Pacific Grove- See Press Releases and Proclamations tab
State Parks-Main State Parks COVID update page
For the latest information about beach postings or closures based on the most recent bacteriological test information, call the Beach Condition Hotline 831-755-4599.
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Monterey Municipal Beach At The Wharf
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CONTACT WITH CONTAMINATED OCEAN WATER MAY CAUSE ILLNESS.
Do not swim in or have contact with water coming from storm drains. Such water may be contaminated with bacteria, viruses, protozoa, or chemicals, and contact with storm drain water may cause illness. Do not enter water after rainstorms as bacterial levels increase with the increased runoff into the bay.
Beaches are sampled Monthly from November to April, then weekly between April 1 and October 31 of each calendar year.
California Beach Water Quality Monitoring & Strong Pollution Prevention Measures
- Beach Advisories or Beach Postings occur when at least one bacterial standard from the Ocean Water Contact Sport Standards issued by the California Department of Health Services, has been exceeded. Warning signs alert the public of a possible risk of illness associated with water contact. The placement of signs may be short term or more permanent where monitoring indicates repeated contamination (e.g. from a storm drain). Warnings may be posted where sources of contamination are identifiable and can be explained as not of human origin (e.g., resident marine mammals or seabirds) or of an unknown source.
- Beach Closures occur as a result of a known sewage spill that has the potential to reach coastal waters. A closure is a notice to the public that the water is unsafe for contact and that there is a high risk of getting ill from swimming in the water. When a beach is closed, signs are posted alerting the public to stay out of the water.
- Rain Advisories can be issued when it rains because it is known from past experience that rainwater carries pollution to the beach. After a rainstorm, bacteria levels usually exceed the State standards for recreational water use due to untreated storm drain flows that may contact motor oil, pet waste, pesticides, and trash.
Pre-4th of July Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) assessment map
You can view the map on the California HABs Portal here. If you have any questions/comments about the pre-holiday HABs assessment map, please contact:
- Marisa Van Dyke - marisa.vandyke@waterboards.ca.gov
- Ali Dunn - ali.dunn@waterboards.ca.gov, and/or
- Michelle Tang - michelle.tang@waterboards.ca.gov