Oceanside Beaches Get Middling Ratings for Water Quality

The Natural Resources Defense Council recently released its annual guide to water quality at popular vacation beaches across the United States, including popular stretches of Oceanside. 

The beach ratings, ranging from one to five stars, judged beaches based on a number of factors including frequency of water testing and proper noticing of the public when bacteria levels in the water exceeded health standards. 

Only 13 beaches across the nation received 5-star ratings, with four in Orange County. Five-star beaches received the high marks for strong water testing standards as well as low bacteria violation rates.

The local beaches fared in the middle of the pack, with no one stretch of Oceanside municipal beach receiving more than three stars:

• St. Malo Beach | 3/5 Stars
• Cassidy Street | 2/5 Stars
• Buccaneer Beach, 500 feet north of Loma Alta outlet | 2/5 Stars
• Forester Street | 3/5 Stars
  
• Tyson Street  | 3/5 Stars
• Harbor Beach, San Luis Rey River Outlet | 1/5 Stars

1. Local officials post advisories without re-sampling.
2. Closings/advisories posted online and at beach.
3. Less than five percent of water samples exceeded national standards in 2010, 2011, and 2012.
4. Less than five percent of water samples exceeded national standards in 2012
5. Water quality monitored more than once a week