Erckenbrack Park, Marlin Park and Lakeshore Park, these San Mateo beaches were rated the worst by the nonprofit environmental organization's 30th Annual Beaches Report Heal the Bay in the summer of 2021.
Water quality studies consist of measuring bacterial contamination levels that indicate the amount of feces in the ocean as measured by county health agencies.
Tracy Quinn, President and CEO of Heal the Bay, remains alert to future results, as noted in the scientific community, “People who come into contact with fresh or salt water with a C rating or lower are at greater risk for illnesses such as gastroenteritis, ear infections, upper respiratory infections and skin rashes.”
He added, "A day at the beach or the river shouldn't make anyone sick."
The probability of contact with contaminated water increases during storms on beaches and rivers, making contact with humans harmful to health, he said.
In light of this, Heal the Bay scientists remain concerned about ocean water quality as polluted waters pose a significant health risk to millions of people in California.
However, it is not all bad news, as some of the California beaches received perfect ratings in terms of cleanliness, such as the beaches of Los Angeles County, San Luis Obispo, San Diego and Santa Barbara.
Only 66 percent of California beaches earned good or excellent ratings during the rainy season, which was slightly above average but still “very concerning,” Heal the Bay’s executive director said.
“It is wonderful news that most of California’s beaches have good water quality for swimming. But there are areas with poor water quality that need to improve and update their infrastructure. We cannot forget that our marine ecosystems are still threatened by climate change, by other sources of pollution and we need solutions to address these problems as well,” he said.
And, he noted, people are expected to increasingly seek out ocean coasts and freshwater recreational areas to cool off from high temperatures, "so safe, clean and healthy water is needed now more than ever."
Heal the Bay’s Honor Roll includes 51 California beaches that earned perfect water quality ratings year-round—up from 35 beaches the year before.
The report also includes beaches in San Diego, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Humboldt and Santa Cruz counties on its 2021-2022 list, as well as a beach in Baja California, Mexico, for the first time.
Lists of worst and best beaches in California:
The California Worst Beaches list groups the most polluted beaches by levels of harmful bacteria in the ocean:
1. Playa Blanca (Baja California, Mexico)
2. Erckenbrack Park (San Mateo County)
3. Marlin Park (San Mateo County)
4. Santa Monica Pier (Los Angeles County)
5. Marina Del Rey Mother's Beach, at the lifeguard tower (Los Angeles County)
6. Moonstone County Park (Humboldt County)
7. Newport Bay, Vaughn Launch (Orange County)
8. Lakeshore Park (San Mateo County)
9. Marina del Rey Mother's Beach, between the lifeguard tower and the boat dock (Los Angeles County)
10.Tijuana Slough, north of the mouth of the Tijuana River (San Diego County)
You may be interested in: CAL FIRE reports being ready to tackle this summer's wildfires
