Bacteria levels at La Jolla Children's Pool have exceeded state health standards following rainfall from Post-Tropical Cyclone Rachel, the San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality confirmed Sunday, Oct. 11.
The department urged beachgoers to avoid water contact at Children's Pool and at all San Diego County beaches and bays for at least 72 hours after the rain ends. Urban runoff from the storm carries bacteria that can cause illness, according to NBC 7, which reported the department's General Rain Advisory.
Harbor Beach and San Diego River Outlet Dog Beach also exceeded state health standards. The shoreline from the international border through Carnation Avenue in Imperial Beach remains closed until sampling confirms safe conditions.
Children's Pool has been under a daily bacteria advisory since 1997. The department's advisory did not specify whether the current exceedance reflects a new storm-related sample or a continuation of that standing condition. The department tests for Enterococcus bacteria as an indicator of disease-producing pathogens including E. coli, Salmonella and Hepatitis A, according to the department's Beach and Bay Monitoring Program. The single-sample standard is 104 Enterococci organisms per 100 milliliters.
The advisory does not specify when the department will resample Children's Pool. A 72-hour window from Sunday morning would extend roughly to Wednesday, Oct. 14, but the advisory stays in place until test results confirm bacteria counts have fallen within state limits.
No clearance date has been set.
San Diego Council President Joe LaCava, whose District 1 includes La Jolla, warned residents on X on Friday, Oct. 9, about the storm's risks.
@joelacavad1: "Tropical Storm Rachel is expected to bring rainfall, increased risk of flash and urban flooding, and dangerous rip currents to San Diego over the weekend and into early next week."
Rachel was only the second tropical storm to trigger a watch for San Diego County on record, CNN reported. The storm delivered roughly an inch of rain, about double what San Diego typically sees in all of October. Winds peaked at 59 mph in eastern San Diego County, and the National Weather Service warned that coastal flooding could continue into early afternoon Sunday.
The city's official Children's Pool page listed a Coastal Flood Advisory in effect through Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 2 p.m., as we reported Friday, Oct. 9, when the tropical storm watch was first issued.
Beach advisory signs at Children's Pool are white with a yellow border. Residents can check current conditions at sdbeachinfo.com or by calling 619-338-2073.
