Updated 4:24 pm., July 26: The Department of Environmental Health has lifted the water contact closure for the Imperial Beach shoreline.This includes the beach-line from the south end of Seacoast Drive north to Carnation Avenue (including Camp Surf). The ocean shoreline from the International Border to the north end of the Tijuana Slough shoreline will remain closed until sampling confirms these areas are safe for water contact.
Updated 4:51 p.m., July 24: The Department of Environmental Health has lifted the water contact closure for the Silver Strand shoreline. The ocean shoreline from the International Border to the north end of Imperial Beach (including Camp Surf) will remain closed until sampling confirms these areas are safe for water contact.
Updated 5:28 p.m., July 23: The Department of Environmental Health lifted the water contact closure for the Coronado shoreline. This includes the beach-line from the south end of Coronado at Avenida Lunar north.
Updated 2:56 p.m., July 20: The water contact closure was expanded north to include all of Coronado.
The County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health expanded a water contact closure area at the Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge on Monday to include all of Imperial Beach and Silver Stand State Beach due to runoff, in addition to a general advisory for the entire county coastline.
Recent rainfall caused the sewage-contaminated runoff in the Tijuana River to enter the Tijuana Estuary and beyond. Warning signs will be posted until tests show the ocean water is safe for recreational use.
A general advisory was also issued Saturday for all beaches and bays in the county. The levels of bacteria can rise significantly in ocean and bay waters following rain, especially near storm drains, creeks, rivers and lagoon outlets that discharge urban runoff. Activities such as swimming, surfing and diving should be avoided in all coastal waters for 72 hours following rain. This includes all coastal beaches and all of Mission Bay and San Diego Bay.
For updates on beach closure information, visit www.sdbeachinfo.com or call the 24-hour hotline at (619) 338-2073.
