Authorities Lift Water Contamination Advisory

The County of San Diego Sunday lifted the general advisory for possible water contamination caused by recent rainfall in local coastal waters, including Mission Bay and San Diego Bay, according to county officials.     

But the ocean shoreline from the U.S.-Mexico border to the north end of Silver Strand remained closed to water contact due to sewage-contaminated runoff from the Tijuana River.

The advisory stated that last week's rainfall could have caused elevated bacteria levels in ocean waters, especially near outlets that discharged urban runoff. Activities such as swimming and surfing should have been avoided for 72 hours following rain, however the advisory has been lifted for all San Diego County coastal waters, according to county officials.

Border Field State Park, the Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge shoreline were closed March 17 and the closures were expanded to include Imperial Beach and the Silver Strand ocean shore, county officials said.

San Diego Bay and beaches at Coronado were not affected.

-City News Service