Seawater bacteria warnings in effect at 2 spots in Newport Beach; another is lifted

Seawater quality warnings were in effect Tuesday at two locations in Newport Beach where the Orange County Health Care Agency said bacteria levels exceed state health standards and could cause illness. A warning at a third location was lifted.

One warning in effect was at the ocean beach at 38th Street. The other was a long-term warning for the bay channel at the Newport Boulevard bridge.

A warning at Abalone Avenue Beach on Newport Bay on the south side of Balboa Island was lifted.

Warnings at Abalone Avenue and 38th Street were posted late last week based on the Health Care Agency’s water samples.

The agency says the water at 38th Street is tested biweekly and that samples at Abalone Avenue and the Newport Boulevard bridge are taken weekly.

Water samples are analyzed for bacteria that may indicate the presence of disease-causing organisms. Sources of such bacteria may include soil, decaying vegetation, animal and human waste and storm or urban runoff.

When is warning is issued, beach-goers are advised to avoid contact with the water 150 feet upcoast and 150 feet downcoast of the sampling locations.

A long-term warning such as that at the Newport Boulevard bridge occurs where bacterial levels consistently exceed health standards, usually because of urban runoff, according to the Health Care Agency.