Pismo Beach Health Advisory Stretches Into Second Week as Bacteria Levels Remain High

PISMO BEACH, California — A health advisory at Pismo Beach has now lasted longer than a week, raising concerns among surfers and residents as officials investigate elevated levels of fecal indicator bacteria in the water.

The advisory, issued on September 16, affects the area near Wadsworth Avenue, just north of the Pismo Pier. Health officials warn that swimming, surfing, or wading in the water could pose risks until the contamination is resolved.

Surfers Push Ahead Despite Warning

Local surfers say the advisory hasn’t kept them out of the waves. Carson Norrbom, who began surfing in the area last week, brushed off the risks. “It doesn’t matter to me as long as I don’t catch anything,” he said.

Another surfer, Dana McGregor, echoed that sentiment. “I’m not too worried about it. I do get ear infections sometimes, but I just put earplugs in and try not to swallow too much water.”

An Unusual, Prolonged Advisory

According to the San Luis Obispo County Health Agency, tests revealed bacteria levels well above safe standards, prompting the ongoing advisory. Experts say the length of this alert is unusual.

Stanley Rice, from the non-profit Surfrider Foundation, said the streak stands out. “It started before the rain,” Rice explained. “If it were after the rain, you could understand it because runoff carries a lot into the water. But before the rain, it’s a problem.”

State records show that of 322 advisories issued in San Luis Obispo County over the last decade, only 22 lasted more than three days. The current 12-day stretch is one of the longest in recent memory, surpassed only by an advisory at Hearst Memorial State Beach in 2019.

Officials Searching for the Source

Rice admitted that the source of contamination remains a mystery. “I don’t know if anything down by Wadsworth flowed into the ocean. So it’s really kind of a mystery, and somebody should look into it.”

The County Health Department says it is working with beach managers to trace the contamination and lower bacteria levels. Until the source is identified, visitors are urged to stay out of the water.

The ongoing health advisory serves as a reminder of how vulnerable coastal waters can be — and how unusual bacterial spikes can disrupt daily life at even the most popular beaches.

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