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# Don’t muddy the waters
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/dont-muddy-the-waters-editor/
- Published: 2006-08-17T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T21:14:21.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*By Moira Chapin Los Angeles*

Regarding the article “Culver City spill pollutes bay; forces beach closure,” (SMDP, Aug. 9, page 1): It is outrageous that Southern California is once again subjected to sewage spills and beach closures. In California and nationwide, beach closings and health advisories are on the rise. In 2005, there were more than 20,000 closings and health advisory days at beaches across the country, more than ever before.

Beach-goers shouldn’t be swimming in animal and human waste. There is a lot more that we should be doing locally and nationally to protect beach-goers. We need stricter health standards from the EPA, more federal funding to help communities upgrade their sewage systems, and more communities to capture and filter stormwater at its source.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 17, 2006.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/081706.pdf?ref=smdp.com)