Memorial Day is upon us, and many find themselves with a day off and likely plan to go to one Southern California's beaches, like the one at the Santa Monica Pier.

But, you might want to think twice. The beach at the Santa Monica Pier, has been named one of California's dirtiest beaches for the second consecutive year by environmental nonprofit Heal the Bay. The beach ranked No. 2 on the list due to persistent water quality issues, according to the annual Beach Report Card.

Heal the Bay monitors over 500 beaches along the California coast, testing water samples for fecal bacteria like coliform, E. coli, and enterococcus. High concentrations of these bacteria can indicate harmful pathogens. The Santa Monica Pier area, specifically north of Pico and south of Wilshire boulevards, is the only beach in Los Angeles County to make the list. Despite upgrades such as stormwater capture systems and bird deterrent netting, pollution remains a problem, exacerbated by urban runoff and activities like fish gut disposal from recreational fishing.

Tracy Quinn, CEO of Heal the Bay, stated, "Every day, families who visit Santa Monica for a day of fun in the sun may be unknowingly risking illness by splashing in polluted waters." The city of Santa Monica is working with Heal the Bay to address these issues, focusing on the ocean water directly underneath the pier.

Out of the monitored beaches, 62 earned a spot on Heal the Bay's "honor roll," a significant improvement from previous years. This improvement is attributed to a dry summer and winter, resulting in fewer pollutants entering the ocean. Despite these improvements, officials recommend staying at least 100 yards away from storm drains and river outlets and waiting 72 hours after rain before entering the ocean.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the Santa Monica Pier remains a focal point for water quality improvement efforts. For more information on beach water quality, the public can visit Heal the Bay's Beach Report Card website or download their app.

Bill Handel