Rick Swinger, resident of north Venice, wants the storm drains that outlet onto the beach to be fenced and bare signs letting all know that the water is contaminated street runoff.    It is not ocean water.

Around July, the County fills in the holes with sand.  In the meantime, beach goers, particularly children, play in the calm water, not knowing it is contaminated water, not ocean water.

When the rains come, the runoff makes a hole in the beach, and it looks like a pond formed by the ocean. Rick says that he has seen kids swim in the water.

Before the next rains come, Rick wants plans started to have these areas along the Venice beach, such as the the ones shown at Rose and Thornton,  fenced off and proper signage applied to keep people out of the water. The one on Rose is next to a playground.  He complained to the County Health Department and they gave him a sign but it quickly disappeared.

“Also Hepatitis in found at the pool at the end of our beaches storm drains where the homeless are often seen using them as their toilet.Kids are known to play in them and it just takes a small cut to be infected,” according to Rick Swinger. “Kids immune systems are just developing so this is a major threat to their health and wellness.”

Santa Monica does this as shown in the video.

Street drainage outlet at Rose.

Street drainage outlet at Thornton.