BACTERIA WARNINGS POSTED AT 3 BEACHES.Byline: Don Holland Daily News Staff Writer Health warnings were issued this week for three local beaches, the first time official action has been taken since Ventura County began measuring bacteria levels in coastal waters. Signs were posted Thursday at Surfer's Point, Channel Islands Beach Park and Promenade promenade Public place where people walk (or, in the past, rode) at leisure for pleasure, exercise, or display. Promenades are pedestrian avenues pleasingly landscaped or commanding a view, often located along waterfronts and in parks. Vehicular traffic may or may not be restricted. Park Beach after bacteria levels measured in the unhealthful range. The warning remained in effect Friday at Surfer's Point, while Channel Islands was being retested. Bacteria levels had fallen at Promenade, so the warning was lifted. ``We're not really closing beaches,'' said Richard Hauge of the Ventura County Environmental Health Division. ``We're posting beaches. We're advising people to avoid contact with the water.'' The warning recommends people avoid contact with the water within 50 yards of posted signs. ``You can walk on the beach - do whatever the law allows. We're just advising people to stay out of the water,'' Hauge said. About 900 gallons of untreated sewage was discharged last week into Ventura Harbor, but Hauge said the latest spikes in bacteria levels are not related to that incident. ``It's hard to say where it's coming from,'' Hauge said. ``We don't have enough data to make any exact determination. . . . Basically, we don't have the funding to chase down the cause for each one of these.'' County officials this month began taking weekly measurements of bacteria levels at 52 locations along 42 miles of Ventura County coast. The health warnings were the first since the program started, Hauge said. Those who do come in contact with contaminated contaminated, v 1. made radioactive by the addition of small quantities of radioactive material. 2. made contaminated by adding infective or radiographic materials. 3. an infective surface or object. water could contract a number of ailments, including gastrointestinal troubles, rashes Rashes Definition The popular term for a group of spots or red, inflamed skin that is usually a symptom of an underlying condition or disorder. Often temporary, a rash is only rarely a sign of a serious problem. , and inflammation of the ear, nose and throat. Test results are available by calling (805) 662-6555 or by visiting the county Environmental Health Division's Web page at www.ventura.org/env(underline underline an animal's ventral profile; the shape of the belly when viewed from the side, e.g. pendulous, pot-belly, tucked up, gaunt. )hlth/env.htm. CAPTION(S): 2 Photos PHOTO (1--Color) A sign at Surfer's Point warns beachgoers of tainted taint v. taint·ed, taint·ing, taints v.tr. 1. To affect with or as if with a disease. 2. To affect with decay or putrefaction; spoil. See Synonyms at contaminate. 3. seawater seawater Water that makes up the oceans and seas. Seawater is a complex mixture of 96.5% water, 2.5% salts, and small amounts of other substances. Much of the world's magnesium is recovered from seawater, as are large quantities of bromine. . (2--Ran in Conejo Edition only) ``It's fine with me; we're not going to drink it,'' says Jim Harvey Jim Harvey (born May 2 1958 in Lurgan) is a Northern Irish football player and coach. Harvey is the current manager of Nationwide Conference side Forest Green Rovers. as he collects water for sand castles with his grandson, Sebastian Sadaghi, 3. Charlotte Schmid-Maybach/Special to the Daily News |
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