Posted by Wayne on November 09, 2002 at 18:28:25:
In Reply to: Will I get sick? posted by secondhand on November 08, 2002 at 21:31:37:
We collected seawater in many areas up tt a mile from shore before and during storms. Then we measured the samples with the tremendous aid of the Santa Monica Baykeeper organization. The water had a huge amount of heavy metals after the storms. As if that were not bad enough, the bacteria counts in both fecal and non-fecal coliforms was staggering.
I would not go back in for at least a week after the rain stops unless you are at least a mile from shore. At a mile, I would trust it after 3 days. It was worse that I ever imagined. For what its worth, our samples were from Long Beach to Redondo Beach. PV was pretty good because most of the runoff goes the other way and comes out near the beaches. But even with this, the water was not suitable for my family's recreation in my opinion.
Wayne