San Diego Beaches Drown in Low Water Quality Ratings

By John Schreiber

The Natural Resources Defense Council recently released its annual guide to water quality at popular vacation beaches across the United States, giving low marks to most of San Diego County's beaches. 

The beach ratings, ranging from one to five stars, judged beaches based on a number of factors including frequency of water testing and proper noticing of the public when bacteria levels in the water exceeded health standards. 

Only 13 beaches across the nation received five-star ratings—three of which are in California—but none are in San Diego County. Five-star beaches received the high marks for strong water testing standards as well as low bacteria violation rates. The highest ranked beach in San Diego County was Moonlight Beach in Encinitas with four stars.

Beaches graded by the organization received one star for each of the following criteria met: 

1. Local officials post advisories without re-sampling.
2. Closings/advisories posted online and at beach.
3. Less than 5 percent of water samples exceeded national standards in 2010, 2011, and 2012.
4. Less than 5 percent of water samples exceeded national standards in 2012.
5. Water quality monitored more than once a week.

How did San Diego beaches do?

• Imperial Beach, Carnation Ave  1/5 stars
• Imperial Beach, Imperial Beach Pier  1/5 stars
• Oceanside Beach, Cassidy Street  2/5 stars
• Oceanside Beach, Forester Street 3/5
• Oceanside Beach, St. Malo Beach 3/5 stars
• Oceanside Beach, Tyson Street 3/5 stars
• Buccaneer Beach 2/5 stars
• Harbor Beach 1/5 stars
• Coronado city beach, Avenida del Sol 3/5 stars
• La Jolla Shores, Avenue De La Playa 2/5 stars
• Mission Beach, Belmont Park 3/5 stars
• Moonlight Beach, Cottonwood Creek outlet 4/5 stars
• San Dieguito River Beach, Del Mar 2/5 stars

To see more beach ratings in San Diego County and across the nation, visit the Natural Resources Defense Council's website. 

Shauntel Lowe contributed to this report.