AVILA BEACH, Calif- The water at three San Luis Obispo County beaches may look clean and safe, but going in could put you at risk of serious infection or disease according to SLO County Environmental Health Services. Denise Rosburg has recently taken up fishing, she said fishing in the water puts her at ease, but one small thing, she missed the health advisory sign. "I guess I had my sites on the beach," said Rosburg.
That's the trouble for a lot of beach goers. Public health posts these signs when there are high levels of bacteria in the water. Environmental Health Services said when there are high levels, you can contract diseases, infections, and viruses, such as eye infections, skin infections and in very rare cases hepatitis.
Jennifer Roth, a beach goer, ran straight into the water without knowing there was an advisory. "Ewe, that's pretty gross I'm going to go home and take a nice hot shower," said Roth. Health Services said there are different explanations for high amounts of bacteria, sometimes its due to the animal population, such as the pigeon population defecating in the water or when high tide brings it in. Also when there are a lot of people on the beach.
"It's definitely a great concern, these beaches are visited a lot, and I come here all the time, its definitely something to think about and consider before you go into the water," said Maddilyn Rae, a beach goer. Environmental Health performs water samplings at 19 different beaches throughout the county, they recommend checking signs before heading for the water. Advisories are posted at Avila Beach, Olde Port Beach and Shell beach. They will stay in effect until bacterial levels drop to state health standards.
