CA Gets Good Marks on Beach Water Again

Los Angeles - A new report says Californians enjoyed the fourth consecutive summer of excellent water quality.

The study released Wednesday by Heal the Bay says 92 percent of California's beaches showed good-to-excellent water quality. The report included more than 450 beaches that were graded based on bacterial pollution levels from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Heal the Bay also says a statewide budget crisis could cut state funding for water testing. The nonprofit group, which has issued its annual beach report card for two decades, says the testing requires as much as $1.5 million annually to complete.

The governor's office said $492,000 in federal stimulus funds were allocated for testing during this year. Funding for the following fiscal year will have to be hashed out by the next governor and legislature.

Online:

Heal the Bay: www.healthebay.org