Santa Cruz County Environmental Health Services recommends that people do not surf, swim, or dive near areas of storm drain outlets and rivers or creeks during and after periods of heavy rainfall. Runoff from rainfall flushes large amounts of bacteria, virus, and other contaminants into waterways and the ocean. This is especially true with the first major rains of the season. Heavy rainfall and power outages can cause sewage overflows to creeks and the ocean, causing levels of bacteria to exceed safe body contact standards and indicate the possible presence of pathogens or other threats to human health. Cloudy or turbid waters also indicate excessive runoff and should be avoided. Generally, coastal waters meet safe swimming standards unless there are rainfall events. Increased bacteria levels affect the near shore environment and return to levels that meet safe swimming standards approximately 3 days after rainfall stops.The following areas have bacteria levels that generally exceed safe body contact standards and are permanently posted with Water Quality Advisories:
San Lorenzo River Mouth Schwan Lake at Twin Lakes Beach
Soquel Creek at Capitola Beach Aptos Creek at Rio Del Mar Beach
Neary Lagoon at Cowell Beach Porter Gulch at New Brighton Beach
