Community Corner
Do Your Local Beaches Make the Grade?
A national organization rates the water quality of popular beaches near Marina del Rey.
The Natural Resources Defense Council recently released its annual guide to water quality at popular vacation beaches across the United States, including some popular beaches near Marina del Rey.
The beach ratings, ranging from one to five stars, judged beaches based on a number of factors including frequency of water testing and proper noticing of the public when bacteria levels in the water exceeded health standards.
Only 13 beaches across the nation received 5-star ratings, with four in Orange County. Five-star beaches received the high marks for strong water testing standards as well as low bacteria violation rates.
The beaches surrounding Marina del Rey did not fare as well.
Three beaches near Marina del Rey received two or fewer stars including:
- Venice City Beach at Topsail Street | 1/5 Stars
- Dockweiler State Beach at Ballona Creek | 2/5 Stars
- Dockweiler State Beach at Culver Boulevard | 2/5 Stars
While Mother's Beach inside the marina was not officially graded, the NRDC did note that the beach's water quality is monitored four times per week and that 17 percent of samples have exceeded state standards.
Beaches graded by the organization received one star for each of the following criteria met:
- Local officials post advisories without re-sampling.
- Closings/advisories posted online and at beach.
- Less than five percent of water samples exceeded national standards in 2010, 2011, and 2012.
- Less than five percent of water samples exceeded national standards in 2012
- Water quality monitored more than once a week
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