Following a period of heavy rainfall, Santa Cruz County Environmental Health Services is warning everyone to stay away from contaminated oceans and streams. Runoff from rainfall flushes large amounts of bacteria, virus, and other contaminants into waterways and the ocean, which is especially true after the first major rain of the season. Cloudy of turbid waters also indicate excessive runoff and should be avoided. The following locations contain bacteria levels that generally exceed safe body contact standards and are posted with water quality advisories: San Lorenzo River Mouth, Soquel Creek at Capitola Beach, Neary Lagoon at Cowell Beach, Schwan Lake at Twin Lakes Beach, Aptos Creek at Rio Del Mar Beach, and Porter Gulch at New Brighton Beach.
