Pacific Grove Beach Reopens To Swimmers

PACIFIC GROVE (CBS SF) -- It is once again safe to venture into the water at a Pacific Grove beach where warning signs had been posted earlier this week.

The Monterey County Health Department announced Thursday that an advisory has been lifted at Lovers Point Beach, which was posted with the advisory on Tuesday after water samples indicated high levels of bacteria.

The bacteria have been associated with an increased risk of illness. An advisory is posted when bacterial levels exceed state standards at beaches that are visited by at least 50,000 people annually and are near a storm drain such as a culvert, creek or stream, according to the county health department.

Marine life, other animals, rain runoff, storm drains and human activity can all cause an increased presence of bacteria, according to the health department.

When such advisories are in effect, beachgoers are cautioned to
avoid swimming in or having contact with storm drain water, which may contain bacteria, viruses, protozoa or chemicals that can cause illness.

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