Dockweiler State Beach closed after tampon applicators, condoms, needles wash ashore
Dockweiler State Beach has been closed until further notice after medical waste, including condoms, tampon applicators and hypodermic needles, from a sewer pipe washed ashore.
The closure from Grand Avenue to Ballona Creek was announced at about 6:20 p.m. Wednesday following a report of debris along the shoreline and in the water.
Water at the beach showed excessive levels of bacteria, officials said.
The medical and other waste had been discharged from the Hyperion Treatment Plant, according to Heal the Bay, an environmental activist and water monitoring group.
The pipeline that would ordinarily discharge the treated waste five miles offshore was being repaired, Tonya Durrell of Hyperion said.
Los Angeles Sanitation crews were cleaning up the medical waste.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department has asked the public to stay out of the water until the cleanup effort is completed.
This beach is 10-20 mins south of Santa Monica. This is why I don't go to those beaches...nothing south of Point Dume.