Beaches were grade A last summer, group says

Don’t be afraid to go near the water — at least in Laguna Beach. That’s the message of Heal the Bay’s recently released 2006 Summer Beach Report Card.

Beaches all along the Orange County coastline garnered A’s — with the exception of six locations that received a grade of C or lower, including one F in San Clemente — while beaches in Los Angeles County had the worst water quality in the state.

Water samples were analyzed for bacteria that indicate pollution from various sources, include fecal waste. The report does not measure the amount of trash or toxins. Beaches are graded using an A to F scale based on the risk of ocean users becoming ill.

In Laguna, beaches garnered straight A’s across the board:

Beach: A

Canyon: A

Dumond Dr.: A

Lagunita Place: A

middle: A

beach entry: A

Point Drive: A+

Rock Drive: A+

For more information, visit www.healthebay.org