Heal the Bay released the 18th annual Report Card for California Beaches earlier this week and some of the news was good: dry weather has helped in keeping waters off California’s coast cleaner and safer for swimmers and surfers.

Environmental organization Heal the Bay released a new “report card” Wednesday, appraising the California coast with letter grades from A to F, based on daily and weekly pollution level tests in 517 locations.

The lower the grade, the riskier the respective beach is for swimmers and surfers, exposing them to health risks such as stomach flu, ear infections, dermatological problems etc.

The environmental report said the waters are cleaner than they have been in years. “Dry” is the key word though, as rainy conditions led to poor test results. Storm water runoff still poses challenges, as it can contain a long list of dangerous substances: pesticides and fertilizers, petroleum byproducts, trash and human sewage etc.

Mark Gold, president of the Santa Monica-based nonprofit group, commented that little progress has been made in handling the situation: “The beaches are just as polluted today during rainstorms as they were 15 years ago.”

During the April 2007- March 2008 period, 87 percent of beaches statewide and in the Southland received A or B grades during dry weather. Only 71 percent of beaches in Los Angeles County scored that high, but this was a significant improvement from last year.

Last year, seven of its beaches were on the Beach Bummer list, while this year, only five made the dreaded list.

Another considerable difference was noted in the water quality of Santa Monica beaches, with 92 percent receiving A or B grades during dry weather months, a far cry from the past two years.

This yea’s report card also included all beaches in San Francisco Bay, with more than 80 percent of these receiving A or B grades throughout the year.

The Top 10 Beach Bummers, 2007-2008

1. Avalon Harbor Beach on Catalina Island (Los Angeles County)

2. Santa Monica Municipal Pier (Los Angeles County)

3. Poche Beach (Orange County)

4. North Beach Doheny (Orange County)

5. Marie Canyon Drain at Puerco Beach (Los Angeles County)

6. Cabrillo Beach harborside (Los Angeles County)

7. City of Long Beach -- multiple locations (Los Angeles County)

8. Campbell Cove State Park Beach (Sonoma County)

9. Clam Beach County Park near Strawberry Creek (Humboldt County)

10. Pismo Beach Pier (San Luis Obispo County)