WHAT: Heal the Bay issues its 2016 , assigning an A-to-F letter grade to 456 locations throughout the state, according to levels of harmful bacteria found in the water. The better the grade a beach receives, the lower the risk of illness to ocean users.
We will unveil this year’s Beach Bummer list, an annual review of the 10 most polluted beaches in the state, including three in Los Angeles County and a surprising new entrant in Orange County.
We will also showcase the 20 beaches in Los Angeles, Orange and Ventura counties that made the statewide Honor Roll for getting A-plus grades every week for the yearlong reporting period.
WHERE: Santa Monica Pier
Do not park on pier. Please use beach parking lot just north of Pier. We will be assembling on wooden walkway on the sand adjacent to Bubba Gump restaurant.
WHEN: Thursday, May 26, 11 a.m.
WHO: Heal the Bay’s chief water quality scientist, Leslie Griffin, will be unveiling the grades and interpreting the report’s findings for Southern California beachgoers. She will also be discussing the implications that persistent drought has on beach water quality and local water supply.
WHY: With the summer beachgoing season kicking off, Heal the Bay’s Beach Report Card is designed to protect the health of the more than 100 million people who visit California’s beaches each year. Contact with bacteria-laden ocean water can cause serious illness.
