Potential Stormwater Runoff Contamination - Rainfall that is significant enough to cause runoff can flow into storm drains, channels, creeks and rivers that empty onto the beaches of Ventura County. In general, 0.2 inch of rain in urban areas may be enough to create runoff conditions. There is a potential for storm water runoff to carry disease causing bacteria to the beaches and into the ocean water. Contact with this runoff water may result in an increased risk to human health. The Environmental Health Division advises the public to avoid body contact with all storm water runoff and ocean water at all Ventura County beaches. Any items that may have come in contact with runoff or ocean water should also be avoided. If contact has occurred, wash thoroughly with soap and water. Any shellfish on or from Ventura County beaches may have also been exposed to this contamination and should not be eaten. This precaution is effective during significant rainfall activity and for 72 hours after the rainfall has ended.

ILLNESS REPORT FORM

If you believe that you have become ill after swimming in ocean water at a beach in Ventura County, click here, to obtain a form so that you may report your illness to Ventura County Public Health (VCPH). Please print the form; provide complete information, and either mail or FAX the form to VCPH as indicated.

STATE OF CALIFORNIA OCEAN WATER QUALITY BACTERIAL STANDARDS:

The minimum protective bacteriological standards for water adjacent to public beaches and public water-contact sports areas shall be as follows:

Based on a single sample, the density of bacteria in water from each sampling station at a public beach or public water contact sports area shall not exceed:

1. Total coliform bacteria: 10,000 per 100 milliliters; or
2. Fecal coliform bacteria: 400 per 100 milliliters; or
3. Total coliform bacteria: 1,000 per 100 milliliters, if the ratio of fecal/total coliform bacteria exceeds 0.1; or
4. Enterococcus bacteria: 104 per 100 milliliters.

Based on the mean of the logarithms (geometric mean) of the result of at least five weekly samples during any 30-day sampling period, the density of bacteria in water from any sampling station at a public beach or public water contact sports area, shall not exceed:

1. Total coliform bacteria: 1,000 per 100 milliliters; or
2. Fecal coliform bacteria: 200 per 100 milliliters; or
3. Enterococcus bacteria: 35 per 100 milliliters.