Rain Advisory
A rain advisory is issued anytime there is significant rainfall that may affect bacteria levels in ocean waters. Levels of bacteria can rise significantly in ocean waters especially adjacent to storm drains, creeks and rivers during and after rainstorms. Elevated levels of bacteria may continue for a period of up to 3 days depending upon the intensity of the rain and the volume of runoff. Elevated bacteria levels in ocean water may cause someone to become ill. The Department of Public Health recommends that beach users avoid contact with ocean water, especially near flowing storm drains, creeks and rivers for a period of 3 days after rainfall ends.

Beach Closures
A beach is closed anytime there is a known sewage or chemical spill impacting ocean waters. Water contact may cause someone to become ill. When a beach is closed, the Department of Public Health advises beach users to avoid all contact with ocean water in the closure area and where closure signs are posted.

Warnings
While every effort has been made to update ocean water monitoring information in a timely manner, information can be as much as a week old. This information cannot and should not be relied upon as a guarantee to the safety of current ocean water quality conditions.
A warning sign is posted anytime State ocean water bacteriological standards are exceeded. Elevated bacteria levels in ocean water may cause someone to become ill. The Department of Health Services advises beach users to avoid contact with ocean water where warning signs are posted. Warning signs are usually posted 50 - 100 yards either side of a sampling site where bacteria levels have exceeded State standards. Greater distances may be posted depending upon levels of bacteria.

"30 Day Grade" Indicates a 30 day average grade, "A - F," for each sampling site. The grade indicates the trend of bacteriological levels at each sampling site over the past 30 days. See Methodology An "ID"in the grade column indicates insufficient data to post a grade.