Instead of empty beer cans and beach bonfire remnants, visitors to Dockweiler State Beach yesterday encountered hypodermic needles, condoms and tampon applicators. “It does not pose a threat, and we are working very aggressively to make sure that folks get to come back and enjoy the Southern California beaches”.
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According to the Los Angeles Times, water samples were taken, and it was revealed that bacteria levels exceeded state standards.
Meanwhile, all beaches in El Segundo have also been closed to the public while the County Bureau of Sanitation investigates.
“It may have been sitting there, and as a result, the heavy rain storm and first flush of all of that may have pushed that matter out into the bay”, Durrell said.
Environmental nonprofit Heal the Bay also is monitoring the beach.
A Hyperion pipeline that normally pumps wastewater five miles off the coastline is being repaired, forcing the plant to use the shorter, one-mile pipeline.
Cleaning crews removed the items off the beach, and they worked throughout the night to clean up.
The origin of the medical waste remains under investigation.
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“It’s going to wind up in the ocean and turn our valuable resource into a cesspool”, he said.
