Beach Closures

Four Ventura County beach areas are posted with “no swimming” signs this week because of excessive bacteria in the water.

Water-quality tests failed to meet minimum health standards at Rincon Beach south of the mouth of Rincon Creek, Deer Creek Beach, Hobie Beach and Channel Islands Harbor Beach Park.

Swimmers should keep at least 50 yards from each side of the warning signs to avoid bacteria, health division officials say.

Pollution has been a problem at Hobie and Channel Islands beaches since last year. Officials at the county’s Environmental Health Division are continuing to attempt to identify and eliminate the sources of the bacteria contamination.

Weekly beach testing occurs at 53 sites in Ventura County, and results can be obtained by calling the county’s ocean water-quality hot line at 662-6555 or by visiting the division’s Web site at https://www.ventura.org/env_hlth/ocean.htm.