Bacteria levels exceed health standards as of Sep 9, according to San Diego County, and water contact should be avoided.

The San Diego County Department of Environmental Health and Quality has issued water advisories for La Jolla Cove and La Jolla Shores at Avenida de la Playa Sept 10.

Bacteria levels exceed health standards, according to the advisories, and water contact should be avoided to prevent illness.

These advisories are in addition to the ongoing advisory for The Children’s Pool (daily since 1997).

The county usually cannot determine the cause for raised bacteria levels; county officials are charged with monitoring bacteria levels and clearing the advisory when bacteria counts fall within state limits.

A water advisory – marked by a white sign with a yellow border – is the first level of the county’s Beach & Bay Program actions. 

A water warning – a blue sign with an orange border – is issued only in South County, when there are swell conditions that may be pushing bacteria north from the Mexican border.

A beach closure – a yellow sign with a red border – is enacted when a sewage or chemical spill impacts ocean or bay waters.

A sewage spill resulted in an immediate closure, according to state law, and would not lead to an advisory.

The advisories have been frequent this summer; check for updates on beach advisory and closure information at sdbeachinfo.com.