Anonymous
Update by the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department
May 25, 2022
The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department has lifted the water contact closure for Isla Vista shoreline area between Ocean Road and Camino Pescadero Park. Recent water quality testing conducted by the Department has confirmed the ocean water is safe for recreational use in this area following recent sewage impacts.
The County of Santa Barbara implements a variety of programs to protect public health and enhance environmental quality of County watersheds and beaches. Working to improve water quality by reducing or treating sources of pollution is a multi-faceted task. To find out what is being done to improve water quality and how you can help, visit www.sbprojectcleanwater.org.
Isla Vista Beach Closed Due to Sewage Spill
Source: Santa Barbara County Public Health Department
May 20, 2022
The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department’s Environmental Health Services is issuing a “BEACH CLOSURE” for all recreational water contact between Ocean Road and Camino Pescadero Park due to untreated sewage reaching ocean waters along this beach shoreline.
The spill involved a release of an unknown quantity of sewage to a storm drain discharging near Pelican Park in Isla Vista. As a result, the beach from Ocean Road to Camino Pescadero Park has been closed to all recreational water contact. The affected area has been posted with signs warning the public to avoid contact with the water until sample results indicate the water is safe for recreational use. Contact with sewage-contaminated water increases the risk of illness.
Additionally, sport harvesters should avoid harvesting shellfish from this area. High bacterial levels may contaminate the shellfish beds. Adequate cooking of shellfish will destroy harmful bacteria, but may not be effective in killing viruses.
Sad to report, but if the origin was Pelican Park -near where I live- then there’s a high probability that this came from one of our “houseless neighbors” hanging out or camping in the park.
There are at least two there and they are making a huge mess, you can smell the fecal matter and urine in the air as you approach the fence overlooking the bluffs.
Notice what I said; high probability. I didn’t directly say it could only have been them. But if we follow patterns, behaviors and statistics, as I said, it’s a high probability these individuals were the cause.
Another cause could be the guy with the RV camping in the area dumping raw sewage from the waste tanks.
Realistically and truthfully, the possibility of any other sources is minimal to none. From fires to sewage and more.
RYPERT – “the possibility of any other sources is minimal to none.” Right, there’s no possible way this spill caused by “release… to a storm drain” was not caused by faulty plumbing, old pipes, backed up toilets, etc in any of those pristine, well kept, respectable party rentals nearby, each inhabited by only the permitted number of occupants, all of whom are responsible adults who take pride in home upkeep….. No, much easier to blame a few homeless people. Your obsession with them is bordering unhealthy.
“it’s a high probability these individuals were the cause”
Actually, it’s such a low probability as to be indistinguishable from zero.
Good lord – didn’t the Romans figure out public waste and sewer systems some 2000 years ago? And yet here are we, the supposed pinnacle of technology and we still can’t figure out how not to poop in the wrong places?
An easily accessible tank dump site for homeless live-in vehicles’ sewage holding tanks would cut down on some of this. Maybe one on each side of town or out at the Sewage Treatment Plant?