Beach and Bay Monitoring Program

Quick Links:

Beach and Bay Status Report

San Diego County Beach Status Map

Historical Beach Health Summary 2007 to 2012  

 Call (619) 338-2073 for current beach water quality status. Please note that this webpage will not be updated during weekends and holidays.

Tijuana River Flow and Impact Status:

LOW potential for beach impacts from Tijuana River. When flowing, beach water quality impacts and associated unhealthful conditions are eminent in the vicinity of the Tijuana River outlet. Tides, wind, near-shore ocean currents, and other factors determine how far north Tijuana River impacts may extend. During the winter rainy season, and whenever there is a high potential for beach impacts from current or recent Tijuana River flow, check beach closure status often by calling 619-338-2073 as conditions, and associated beach closures can change rapidly.  

Program Overview 

Our beaches are a precious natural resource to those that live and visit San Diego County. Poor water quality at our beaches not only threatens the health of swimmers and beachgoers but also hurts San Diego’s ocean-dependent economy. The Department of Environmental Health’s Beach and Bay Water Quality Monitoring Program protects the public health of millions of residents and visitors each year through beach water testing, public education, outreach and beach postings when necessary. 

Since 1999 the Department of Environmental Health (DEH) has contracted with the California Department of Public Health, and now the State Water Resources Control Board, to use funds from the Beach Safety Act (AB 411) to perform water quality sampling, act as a clearing house for beach water quality monitoring data from other agencies and to notify the public when water quality standards are not met at recreational beaches (ocean and bays). The Beach and Bay Water Quality Monitoring Program coordinates the sampling and posting of signs warning of contaminated water at beaches affected by sewage spills, when monitoring indicates bacteria levels exceed State standards, or during other events that may pose a threat to public health. 

Learn more how the Department of Environmental Health Land and Water Quality Division protects public health and improves our quality of life in this brief video

The Beach and Bay Monitoring Program conducts the following activities to monitor beach water quality and notify the public of water quality conditions in San Diego County.

    Testing, Monitoring and Data Analysis

     Dry Weather (April 1^st through October 31^st)

• Sample and analyze data from 45 locations (50 samples) every week
• Analyze sampling data from another 38 locations provided by wastewater agencies
• Post advisories when standards are exceeded and resample until health standards are met

     Wet Weather (November 1st through March 31^st)

• Sample and analyze data from 15 high risk locations (20 samples) each
• Analyze sampling data from another 38 locations provided by wastewater agencies
• Post advisories when standards are exceeded and resample until health standards are met

    Risk Analysis, Mitigation and Communication

•  Public notification of water quality
  • Phone hotline (619) 338-2073
  • The DEH website www.sdbeachinfo.com
  • Press releases, when needed
•  Analyze reports of sewage spills to determine whether they create a risk to public health and if  so, notify the public and coordinate re-sampling activities.    
•  Notify public of risk of swimming after rain events
•  Coordinate re-sampling and source investigations with coastal jurisdictions, as needed 

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Historical Beach Water Quality Reports 

The Beach and Bay Monitoring Program has prepared Beach Health Summaries since 2000. These summary sheets provide information related to beach water quality in San Diego County including the number and duration of beach closures, beach advisories, and other pertinent information related to beach health. Click here to see a list of Beach Health Summaries available for review and an explanation of available information.  

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Contact Information 

For more information on the Beach and Bay Monitoring Program, contact Keith Kezer.

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