San Diego County has closed the Imperial Beach shoreline to water contact because the Tijuana River is carrying sewage into the ocean. The county's Department of Environmental Health and Quality issued the closure on Sunday, Sept. 27, and warned that "the ocean water contains sewage and may cause illness," Times of San Diego reported.
The shoreline at Border Field State Park and the Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge is also closed. Five other locations, stretching north to Oceanside, are under advisories because bacteria levels exceed state health standards.
For surfers, swimmers and families with young children, the practical question is which beaches are safe to enter and how to check before going. The answer changes with each round of water sampling, so the county's live map matters more than any list published on a given day.
Every Closed and Advisory Beach Right Now
As of the county's Sept. 27 notices, the Imperial Beach shoreline, Border Field State Park and the Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge were closed. Advisories covered Oceanside Pier, the San Luis Rey River outlet in Oceanside, Harbor Beach in Oceanside, North Cove at Vacation Isle in Mission Bay and La Jolla Children's Pool, KOGO reported.
The county said the closures will stay in place "until sampling and field observations confirm these areas are safe for water contact." No reopening date has been announced. Advisories are lifted when testing shows bacteria levels meet state standards, while closures tied to the Tijuana River can last longer because the flow may continue for days.
The labels on the county map have specific meanings. According to the county's beach status map key, a closure means water contact is barred because of "an imminent health threat associated with a sewage or chemical spill." An advisory means bacteria levels exceed state standards. A warning means the beach "may be impacted by sewage," and contact with the water may cause illness.
The closures and advisories apply to water contact, so families can still walk, picnic, and play on the sand. Parents of toddlers, who tend to wander into the shallows, can keep children above the wet sand line. Dog owners should keep pets out of the water, since swimming pets can bring contaminated water back onto skin, towels, and car seats.
Checking the County Map Before Paddling Out
The county's live status map at sdbeachinfo.com is the fastest way to check a specific beach before leaving home. Beaches are color-coded by status and updated as new samples come back.
People without easy web access can call the county's Beach and Bay Program hotline at 619-338-2073 for current conditions. Questions can also go to [email protected].
San Diego County tests ocean water with droplet digital PCR, a method that returns same-day results, according to the county's Beach and Bay FAQs. Because results can change quickly, it is worth checking on the morning of a beach trip rather than the night before.
Rain is another trigger worth tracking. Storm runoff can raise bacteria levels at beaches with no sewage source nearby. The county advises people to stay at least 75 feet away from where runoff enters the ocean or bay.
Illness Risks and Steps After Accidental Contact
Contact with sewage-contaminated water can cause "diarrhea, skin rashes, ear pain, cough or congestion and eye pain," according to the county. The water can carry bacteria, viruses and parasites, and the county tests for Enterococcus bacteria as a marker of contamination.
Some people face more risk than others. Young children tend to swallow more water and spend more time in the shallows. Surfers and bodyboarders are in the water for long stretches and often get it in their ears, noses, and mouths. People with open cuts, weakened immune systems, or chronic illness may be more likely to develop infections.
After accidental contact, rinse off with clean water as soon as possible and wash hands before eating. Cleaning any cuts or scrapes and keeping them covered also lowers infection risk. Rinsing wetsuits, boards and toys with fresh water before the next use helps keep contaminated water from coming home.
Most stomach upsets clear on their own. Ongoing diarrhea, fever, signs of dehydration in a child, a wound that becomes red, warm or swollen, or ear pain that worsens should prompt a call to a doctor. It helps to tell the clinician where and when the water contact happened.
Sewage from the Tijuana River has closed Imperial Beach shorelines repeatedly for years, and this closure is the latest in that pattern. MedicalDaily will report when the county lifts the closures or adds new advisories.
Key Questions Answered
Which San Diego beaches are closed?
The Imperial Beach shoreline, Border Field State Park and the Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge are closed to water contact because the Tijuana River is carrying sewage into the ocean.
Which beaches are under advisory?
Oceanside Pier, the San Luis Rey River outlet, Harbor Beach in Oceanside, North Cove at Vacation Isle in Mission Bay and La Jolla Children's Pool.
How can beachgoers check the latest status?
Visit sdbeachinfo.com or call 619-338-2073 before heading out, since statuses change with each round of testing.
Can people still go on the sand?
Yes. The closures and advisories apply to water contact, not to the beach itself.
What illnesses can contaminated water cause?
The county lists diarrhea, skin rashes, ear pain, cough or congestion, and eye pain.
What should someone do after accidental contact?
Rinse off with clean water, wash hands before eating, clean any cuts, and call a doctor if symptoms persist or worsen.
Published by Medicaldaily.com
