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# SM BEACH Stay out of the water until Thursday
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/sm-beach-stay-out-of-the-water-until-thursday/
- Published: 2008-02-05T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T18:20:28.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Environment, Santa Monica, #archive-import

Due to current rainfall, run-off is likely to enter ocean waters in the Los Angeles County area. Because of this, county public health officials are advising residents not to go into the ocean either to swim, surf, or play in the waves for at least 72 hours after rainfall ends.

That is because discharging storm drains, creeks and rivers that lead to the ocean carry run-off from urban and wilderness areas containing high levels of bacteria and other germs. The risk is elevated in all beach areas but is highest where the storm drains and creeks enter the ocean. These elevated bacteria levels may cause some people to become ill.

This advisory will be in effect until Thursday, Feb. 7 at 7:00 a.m. This advisory may be extended should rainfall continue later this week.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 5, 2008.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/020508.pdf?ref=smdp.com)