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closeHigh bacteria levels continue to give Pismo Beach one of the worst health ratings in the state.
Just in time for the Memorial Day weekend, the environmental group, Heal the Bay, issued its annual beach report card Wednesday and Pismo Beach just south of the pier was ranked third on the report’s Top 10 Beach Bummer list.
High bacteria levels south of the pier have been a problem for years. Bird droppings from the pier are suspected as a main source of the pollution.
“Pismo Beach by the pier is one of the most chronically polluted beaches in the state,” the report summarized.
A team of biologists from Cal Poly is attempting to pinpoint the source of the contamination. The scientists continue to take water samples but state budget deficits have put analysis of the data on hold.
Initial analysis indicated that high tides were washing the bacteria off the beach and into the ocean. “So far, there is no evidence of human contamination,” the report stated.
Water quality elsewhere in San Luis Obispo County was judged to be excellent with 95 percent of locations receiving an A grade. Two beaches received fair ratings during the rainy season.
Those are Cayucos State Beach halfway between Cayucos Creek and the pier and a surf location called Sewers at Silver Shoals Drive in Shell Beach.
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