Following the recent change to a new, more sensitive ocean-water testing technology that closed Coronado’s beach for 17 days, San Diego County health officials announced they would begin using a new beach water-safety category and sign at local beaches.
Effective Friday, July 1, the County’s new “warning” category will join the existing “advisory” and “closure” categories. When a blue “warning” sign is posted, beachgoers may make their own decision about entering the water. The County says the warning sign means that beach water may contain sewage and may cause illness if people come into contact with it.
Summertime south swell conditions prior to the Fourth of July weekend resulted in an extended closure of border-area beaches and Imperial Beach on Wednesday, June 29, to include Silver Strand State Beach and Coronado.
As there has been no change in environmental conditions year to year and no reports of negative health effects, the City is continuing to work to understand the new testing technology and the categories, and how they affect beach activities, such as junior lifeguards and youth aquatics programs.
The new warning category will be implemented through September to evaluate how well it works.