Following the tests performed by the Natural Resources Defense Council, Los Angeles County has been found to have the most filthy beaches in the state, for the fifth consecutive year.

Some of the highest numbers in fecal bacteria found in ocean water have been identified in Avalon on Santa Catalina Island and Santa Monica. As Michelle Mehta, an attorney involved in the nonprofit organization's water program said, this is not a problem what would simply go away. 

Besides the aforementioned ones, several other beaches have been labeled as dirty; in the top ten we also find Doheny State Beach, Ocean Beach at Vicente Street in San Francisco and San Pedro’s Cabrillo Beach. The study did however find certain clean areas; Bolsa Chica State Beach and Huntington City Beach were said to be rather unspoiled.

California's public beaches have been raided for samples between April and October 2007. The results of these tests are very important for those bathing in the ocean water, as they may experience many unpleasant repercussions after a day at the beach. Out of the potential problems, Michelle Mehta mentioned gastroenteritis, ear infections and skin rashes.

The state has invested around $70 million in beach cleanup actions and it seems that the efforts are paying off. In Los Angeles County in 2007 for instance, the total number of days in which beaches were closed to the public or had safety advisory signs was down by 18 percent from 2006. If things continue in the same manner, perhaps one day, although it may seem utopic, there will be no more cases of unsafe waters, none whatsoever.