Results tagged “bacteria”

Because rain continued to drop today, the Los Angeles County Department of Health extended an advisory that warned beach goers to stay away from swimming near discharging storm drains, creeks, and rivers. That's because "bacteria, debris, trash, and other public health hazards from city streets and mountain areas are likely to enter ocean waters though these outlets," they said.

A sewage spill last night prompted the closure of three beaches in Long Beach today. Failed circuit breakers in a private pump station caused approximately 1,000 gallons to discharge last night around 10:30 p.m. into the storm drain system near the Bixby Terrace Area leading to the Los Cerritos Channel where Mother's Beach, Marine Stadium and Colorado Lagoon are located. The beaches will remain closed until the city's Health Department and Officer deem the water bacteria levels within state standards. All water contact activity will be prohibited in the area.

In what has to be one of the grossest holiday-themed articles published this year on the LA Times (whose online content may or may not be controlled by gnomes) comes the breakdown of bacteria, as it can perhaps be found on the buffet table of your next holiday gathering.

A weekly test on Tuesday by officials in Downey resulted in a bacteria hit--coliform bacteria--prompting them to alert residents yesterday early evening (why it took so long, we do not know). The boil-water order could last three days as the city hyperchlorinates the water and lines where the bacteria was found and flushed.

New state-set limits on the bacteria found in raw milk products might impact the ability of suppliers to provide consumers with products next month. Officials emphasize that the ban would not ban raw milk and products derived from it, but that the new standards are "necessary for consumer safety," the Daily news reports. The article explains:

The new standard, part of AB 1735, takes effect in January, setting a limit of no more than 10 coliforms per milliliter.

Continue reading "Raw Milk Products Might Get Put Out to Pasture in California"