Report on A Pollution Survey 
of Santa Monica Bay 
Beaches in 1942 
BY 
BUREAU OF SANITARY ENGINEERING 
CALIFORNIA STATE BOARD OF PUBLIC HEALTH 
JUNE 26, 1943 
TO CONTENTS 
Page 
Letter of Transmittal 5 
Sewage Disposal Facilities of City of Los Angeles 9 
Fig. 1. Map Showing Sampling Stations 9 
Fig. 2. Photo—Main Fine Screening Plant 11 
Fig. 3. Photo—Inside of Screening Plant 11 
Pig. 4. Screen Plates 12 
Chronology of Principal Events in Sewage Disposal of City of Los Angeles Into 
Santa Monica Bay 12 
Scheme of Investigation 18 
Conditions of Sewage Plant During the Investigation 19 
Fig. 5. Photo—Leaks in Submarine Outfall 21 
Currents in Santa Monica Bay 22 
Winds 23 
Fig. 6. Chart Showing Daily Wind Travel 24 
Table 1. Wind Movement per Day for 1942 25 
Table 2. Wind Movement per Day for 1939 25 
Table 3. Percentage of Wind That is Beachward 26 
Table 4. Typical Hourly Wind Record 27 
Sleek Fields 27 
Table 5. Travel of Sleek Fields 28 
Fig. 7. Characteristic Sleek Fields 28 
Fig. 8. Characteristic Sewage “Rafts” 29 
Rainfall _ 29 
Beach Use and Crowds 29 
Table 6. List of Major Beaches 30 
Fig. 9. Photo of Beach Crowd at Playa del Rey 31 
Fig. 10. Photo of Beach Crowd at Venice Pier 31 
Pig. 11. Photo of Beach Crowd at Santa Monica 32 
Table 7. Summary of Weather, etc 32 
Table 8. Number of Beach Visitors 33 
Results of Sampling Surf and Observations 35 
Fig. 12 to 23, inclusive. E. eoli and Grease Band by Stations for Each 
Month 38-49 
Fig, 24. Photo of Heavy, Frothy Grease Deposit 50 
Fig. 25. Photo of Typical Grease Wave Row 51 
Fig. 26. Chart Showing Occurrence of Grease Bands and E. coli by Stations— 52 
Fig. 27. Photo of Matches, Feces, Grease, etc., on Beach 53 
Fig. 28. Chart Showing Occurrence of Sewage Debris by Stations 54 
Pig. 29. Chart Showing Occurrence of Nonsewage Debris by Stations 55 
Detailed Description of Results by Stations 56 
Complaints 62 
Special Bacteriological Studies 63 
Table 9. Examinations for Typhoid Group 67 
Disease From Beach Pollution 67 LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL 
Berkeley (4), California, 
To the State Board of Public Health 
Sacramento, California 
June 26, 1943 
Gentlemen: 
TRANSMITTAL OF “REPORT ON A POLLUTION SURVEY 
OP SANTA MONICA BAY BEACHES IN 1942.” 
Pursuant to your instructions of September 15,1941, that the Bureau 
of Sanitary Engineering make a sustained study of the pollution by sew- 
age of beaches of Santa Monica Bay to determine if areas existed from 
which the public should be excluded through quarantine action, a com- 
prehensive investigation was carried on during all of 1942. A trained 
investigator, experienced in bacteriology, was assigned solely to that 
task. Based on a review of the year’s evidence on April 3, 1943, your 
board adopted the following Quarantine Order with respect to approxi- 
mately ten miles of beaches in Santa Monica Bay, lying each side of 
Hyperion Outfall of the City of Los Angeles: 
“Whereas, Laboratory studies and sanitary inspections made by the California 
State Department of Public Health throughout 1942 have shown that the ocean beach 
and shore waters of Santa Monica Bay, extending from Fourteenth (14th) Street north 
of the Hermosa Beach Pier in Hermosa Beach, to Brooks Avenue north of the Venice 
Pier in Los Angeles, are contaminated and polluted with sewage to a dangerous degree ; 
and 
“Whereas, This condition constitutes a menace to the health of persons using 
these beaches ; and be it 
“QUARANTINE ORDER 
“Resolved, That the California State Board of Public Health, meeting in San 
Francisco on Saturday, April 3, 1943, does hereby establish a quarantine of the stretch 
of beach extending from Fourteenth Street north of the Hermosa Beach Pier in Her- 
mosa Beach, to Brooks Avenue north of the Venice Pier in Los Angeles. Quarantine 
under this Order means the exclusion of the public from the shore waters and the beach 
in the area described above extending on the beach to the point reached by high tide; 
and be it further 
“Resolved, That, pursuant to the above findings of the California State Board of 
Public Health, a copy of this Resolution be sent to all City and County Health Officers 
within the area herein described, notifying and advising them of said quarantine and 
directing that they post signs warning the public that the area is under quarantine and 
that they enforce the provisions of this Order. 
“Said action is taken for the preservation of the public health pursuant to the 
provisions of the Health and Safety Code of the State of California. 
Signed: WILTON L. HALVERSON, M.D. 
Executive Officer 
State Board of Public Health.” 
2—25013 6 
POLLUTION SURVEY 
In collaboration with the health departments of the city and of the 
county, substantial quarantine signs approximately 2 feet by 3 feet have 
been placed along the beach at approximately 500-foot intervals. 
WARNING 
BEACH QUARANTINE 
THIS BEACH FROM HIGH TIDE LINE SEAWARD, INCLUDING 
ADJACENT SHORE WATERS, IS POLLUTED WITH SEWAGE 
AND IS DANGEROUS TO HEALTH. THE PUBLIC IS EXCLUDED 
FROM THESE AREAS UNDER ORDER OF THE CALIFORNIA 
STATE BOARD OF PUBLIC HEALTH. 
THE AREA UNDER QUARANTINE EXTENDS APPROXIMATELY TEN MILES ALONG THE COAST FROM 
BROOKS AVENUE NORTH OF THE VENICE PIER IN LOS ANGELES, TO FOURTEENTH 
STREET, NORTH OF THE HERMOSA BEACH PIER IN HERMOSA BEACH 
VIOLATION OF THIS ORDER IS A MISDEMEANOR 
APRIL 3, 1943 
CALIFORNIA STATE BOARD OF PUBLIC HEALTH 
Penalty for Defacing This Sign Is a Misdemeanor Punishable by a Fine of $500.00 or Six (6) Months in Jail 
Detailed report of the year-long investigation is now being filed by 
the Bureau of Sanitary Engineering. 
(1) Early day sewage disposal in Los Angeles 50 years ago was onto 
sewer farms on the edge of the city. These became obnoxious and in 1894 
the city first began to dispose of a part of its sewage to Santa Monica Bay 
at Hyperion near El Segundo. By 1912 complaints from beach cities 
south of Hyperion Outfall became intense. Complaints have continued to 
mount right up to the present time and to take in more territory as far 
north as Venice. In 1925 the present Fine Screening Plant and 5,000- 
foot Submarine Outfall were put in full use at Hyperion. This step rep- 
resents the most recent attempt of the city to meet the beach pollution 
problem. There have been no further improvements in the last 18 years, 
and the outfalls have deteriorated and have not adequately been repaired. 
Population sewering to this outlet in 1920 was close to 500,000. During 
the investigation in 1942 it was 1,787,000. It is clear that the entire dis- 
posal system has long since reached its capacity; that the fine screening 
method of sewage treatment is wholly inadequate as a preparation for the 
release of sewage to Santa Monica Bay; and further, the Submarine Out- 
fall leaks so badly along its length that it is estimated that from 20 to 80 
per cent of the sewage fails to reach the seaward end. The main influent 
outfall or trunk sewer, known as the “North Outfall” is cracked to the 
point of bursting. 
In brief, the important findings of the investigation are: SANTA MONICA BAY BEACHES 
7 
(2) An investigation of the historical record reveals one indictment 
after another of the City of Los Angeles because of procrastination and 
inadequate planning and financing of sewage disposal suited to the proper 
assimilation of the drainage in the bay. Plans now on the drafting 
boards in the office of the city engineer comprise what we regard as the 
first instance of constructive planning of sewage treatment and Sub- 
marine Outfall construction at Hyperion. 
(3) Though currents in Santa Monica Bay are fortunately adequate 
to prevent the formation of sludge banks on the ocean floor, the surface 
and wind-induced currents are predominantly onshore from the Sub- 
marine Outfall. This is particularly true in the recreation months of the 
summer. Of 54,500 miles of wind movement in 1942, 35,500 miles were 
beachward. Of this latter movement, 27,000 miles were from the Outfall 
toward beaches to the north of it. Eight thousand five hundred miles of 
wind movement wTere southerly toward Hermosa Beach or directly 
onshore. In much of the summer of 1942, 80 per cent of the wind move- 
ment was toward northerly beaches and in winter it was evenly divided 
between beaches north and south of Hyperion. 
(4) In consequence of inadequate removal of sewage matter by fine 
screens, which remove but 3 to 8 per cent of the suspended solids and 
practically none of the grease, numerous forms of sewage debris issuing 
from Hyperion Outfall land on these shores in a wide, sweeping arc of 
which Hyperion Outfall is the center. The evidence is conclusive beyond 
question that 10 miles of beach from Station 5, which is at Fourteenth 
Street in Hermosa Beach, to Station 14 at Brooks Avenue in Venice are 
commonly and seriously polluted by sewage organisms, infected sewage 
grease, feces and other sewage. 
Because conditions are as changeable as the wind itself, no one can 
know when or where beaches are safe within the 10 miles of beach. The 
frequency of the occurrence of pollution at the various stations estab- 
lished for this study is shown vividly with respect to Hyperion Outfall in 
Figures 26 and 28 on pages 52 and 54 of this report. To these graphs 
the reader is especially referred. Taken together with other graphs and 
evidence in this report they show beyond question that the sewage from 
Hyperion Outfall is alone responsible for the pollution and that all 
sewage constituents diminish with distance from the Outfall. Some 
pollution extends beyond the 10-mile section of beach, but the frequency 
at which this occurs is low. From such comparisons as can be made with 
reports and tests in former years, the zone of pollution is extending to 
additional beaches at an alarming rate. 
(5) It is estimated that 40 million people visit the beaches of Santa 
Monica Bay in a year. Of these, 20 million have frequented the 10 miles 
of beach now under quarantine. The affected beaches are the nearest to 
Los Angeles proper. Because neighboring beaches are already congested, 
it can be estimated that on the item of travel, let alone inconvenience and 
loss of recreation time, the people of this region will be obliged to drive at 
least 50 million additional miles per year for seashore recreation or forego 
this source of health-giving diversion. Here is a direct loss far beyond a 
million dollars per year on a single item. Any way one looks at it, a 
thorough-going redemption of the Santa Monica Bay beaches is necessary 
and will be a profitable undertaking. 8 
POLLUTION SURVEY 
(6) Studies of surf water, sand and sewage grease undertaken late 
in the investigation indicate the frequent presence of members of the 
typhoid group of organisms, and it is recommended that this phase ol! 
the investigation be pursued further. 
(7) No special search has been made among exposed persons for 
cases of actual sewage-borne disease contracted from these beaches. One 
case of paratyphoid fever described in this report strongly incriminates 
the surf water and there is no reason to believe that this may be an isolated 
ease. Unlike the explosive epidemics originating from water, milk and 
foods, cases of sewage-borne disease from polluted surf or beaches are 
more likely to be scattered geographically, and the source may go unsus- 
pected. The frequency with which pathogens have been isolated from 
sea and sand in this investigation leads us to the conviction that physi- 
cians observing enteric disease among the people of this area should 
inquire into a possible connection with seashore recreation in the polluted 
portions of Santa Monica Bay. For such diseases are known to be three 
times as frequent in proportion to population in this area as they are in 
other parts of this State. 
Respectfully submitted. 
C. G. Gillespie, Chief, 
Bureau of Sanitary Engineering. 
CGG :AD REPORT 
SEWAGE DISPOSAL FACILITIES OF CITY OF LOS ANGELES 
The system which conveys its sewage through the North Outfall into 
the Fine Screening Plant at Hyperion and into Santa Monica Bay handles 
the sewage of an estimated population of 1,787,000 people, living in the 
city proper and in some 19 other cities or county areas which are under 
MAP 
of the 
CITY OF LOS ANGELES 
AND ADJACENT AREAS IN 
THE METROPOLITAN SEWERAGE 
DISTRICT 
JUNE 1926 
JOHN C SHAW 
CITY ENGINEER 
Pollution Survey of Santa 
Monica Bay Beaches 
Showing Stations 
Used in Survey 
Fig. 1 10 
POLLUTION SURVEY 
contract with Los Angeles for their sewage disposal. The lower end of 
the trunk line system serving these cities, together with the Submarine 
Outfall into Santa Monica Bay at Hyperion and relation to the beach 
cities is shown on the map, Pig. 1. The map also shows the location of 
the stations for sampling surf and observing beach conditions, established 
for the purpose of this investigation. 
The present system was completed and was in full use in 1925. The 
only changes which have been made since have been the addition of five 
more fine screens in the main screening plant in 1930 and the construction 
of a raw sewage by-pass to the beach in 1933. 
The fine screens are a revolving drum type, 14 feet in diameter and 
12 feet long. Eight of these screens have by 2" openings, comprising 
20 per cent of the screen peripheral surface. In two of the screens, the 
slots have recently been enlarged to Though the design capacity 
was 30 million gallons daily (m.g.d.), per screen, actual capacity is sub- 
stantially the same in all screens and is considered to be 20 m.g.d. under 
average conditions. When clogged, as by slime coatings or grease, the 
capacity decreases still further. Screenings removed by this system 
amount to about 10 tons per day as dry screenings. After being pressed 
and partially dried in a kiln, they are hauled away by a fertilizer 
company. 
In addition to the raw sewage by-pass to the beach, there is also an 
overflow' or relief manhole at the beach end of the Submarine Outfall. 
This opens upon the beach itself. 
The Submarine Outfall wras laid in 1924 and 1925. It is a reinforced 
concrete pipe seven feet in diameter with bell and spigot joints. It 
extends seaward for a length of 5,147 feet, measured from the old Pacific 
Electric tracks along this shore and ends in water 54 feet deep. Except 
for the section through the surf which was laid in coffer dam, the 
remainder is on the sandy ocean floor, and was lowered from pontoons 
or barges. Some years ago the outlet was raised about three feet above 
the ocean floor to escape the menace of sand clogging the pipe. 
Immediately after the laying of this Submarine Outfall in 1925, 
fractures and leaks began to appear at the various joints. Thirty-five 
leaks were found and underwent repairs the first year, particularly in 
the terminal 3,000 feet of outfall. It was estimated at the time that 
only about 25 per cent of the sewage reached the outlet. For the next 
10 years the Submarine Outfall was almost constantly under repair. 
Then new leaks appeared nearer and nearer the shore. Some of the 
breaks cost $20,000 to $35,000 to repair. Hundreds of thousands of 
dollars were spent to little or no avail. The high point of success in the 
repair program wras in 1928 and 1929, after which the leaks continued to 
get w'orse. The earthquake of 1933 opened up fresh leaks. Since 1935, 
no further attempt has been made to patch them. Estimates in 1940 
were that about 20 per cent of the sewrage escaped through leaks. To all 
appearances the leaks in 1942 and 1943 are w'orse than at any time. 
It has been concluded that the reason these ruptures occur is that 
the section of concrete pipe, being laid by submarine methods in which 
the section to be laid was suspended from a floating barge, or pontoon, 
would often strike hard against the one in place, thus breaking or weaken- 
ing the concrete at the joint. Coupled with this fact are the stresses 
induced by water hammer and other causes. SANTA MONICA BAY BEACHES 
11 
Photographs of the Hyperion Screening Plant, and the screens, are 
shown in Pig. 2 to 4 inclusive. 
Fig. 2. Outside of Main Fine Screening Plant at Hyperion. 
Fig. 3. Inside of Screening Plant at Hyperion. 12 
POLLUTION SURVEY 
Pig. 4. Close-up of Screen Plates, Slots 1/16" x 2". 
There are no other sanitary sewers, other than storm drains, leading 
to Santa Monica Bay. The nearest neighboring sewer outfall is that 
delivering the fluid settled sewage of the Los Angeles County Sanitation 
Districts to the ocean 5,000 feet off White Point, which is in the Palos 
Verde Hills 16.5 miles south of Hyperion and too far away to enter at 
all into this investigation. There is some yachting at Santa Monica and 
there are occasional tankers at Standard Oil Pier at El Segundo. Their 
toilets contribute a negligible amount of pollution. 
CHRONOLOGY OF PRINCIPAL EVENTS IN SEWAGE DISPOSAL 
OF CITY OF LOS ANGELES INTO SANTA MONICA BAY 
The following is compiled from records and files of Bureau of Sani- 
tary Engineering as of May 14, 1943. 
1863—Evidence that sanitary sewers existed in Los Angeles. 
1873—City commenced construction of public sewers. Population, 
7,000. 
1883—City, population 15,000, contracted with South Side Irrigation 
Company for sale of sewage from San Pedro street sewer to 
irrigate vegetable farms. 
1887—First comprehensive plan for sewerage system prepared by Fred 
Eaton, 
1894 City first piped raw sewage about 10 miles to Santa Monica Bay 
at Hyperion under the Eaton plan. Sewage was discharged 
through 24-inch cast iron pipe, 600 ft. off-shore. 
1895 Population, 70,000. Contract for sewage irrigation with 4 m.g.d, 
renewed to 1903. SANTA MONICA BAY BEACHES 
13 
1904—New 30-inch steel pipe outfall was laid, extending 940 ft. from 
shore. 
1908—Central Outfall completed, capacity about 58 m.g.d. when flowing 
nearly full. Discharged raw sewage in Santa Monica Bay 
through 34-inch wood stave pipe sewer, laid on trestle 930 feet 
long, and with discharge submerged. In that year the reports of 
the city engineer stated that the suspended solids must completely 
be removed before discharge of effluent into Santa Monica Bay. 
1912—Intense complaint began by southerly beach cities of filthy beaches 
and aerial nuisance. 
1915 After years of intolerable fecal nuisance on beaches extending as 
far as one mile from Hyperion, the State Board of Health 
demanded that steps be taken to abate the nuisance. City engi- 
neer prepared plans for Imhoff tanks. 
1916 Bond issue for same defeated. City decided to extend ocean out- 
fall. Temporary permit issued to discharge raw sewage into 
Santa Monica Bay, 2,000 feet from shore using new Belle View 
Outfall Trestle 875 feet up the coast (northwest) from the then 
existing outfall at Hyperion. 
1917— State Board of Health directed initiation of legal action to compel 
abatement of nuisance created by Hyperion Outfall. Bond issue 
for $1,750,000 for sewer improvements defeated June sth. 
1920 Census was 576,673, and peak dry weather flow about 65 m.g.d. 
1921 Special Sewage Disposal Commission reported that sewage nui- 
sance at Hyperion was noticeable along beach one mile in either 
direction from the outfall, particularly to the south, and stated 
that bacterial analysis of surf Avater showed that bathing at 
Hyperion could be attended with risk if the bathers should swal- 
low some of the water. The commission recommended a new 
ocean outfall with a capacity of at least 210 m.g.d., and the instal- 
lation of a fine screening plant. Bond issue for $12,250,000 was 
overwhelmingly defeated in June. Defeat due principally to 
objection to sewage disposal near populous beach areas and to 
idea of water conservation. By autumn, old Central Outfall 
reached capacity and peak flows began to overflow and flood 
private premises and lawns of some 10,000 people. 
1922— City engineer relieved overflow by diverting certain sewers to 
Ballona Creek. City asked State Board of Health for permit to 
screen and chlorinate the overflow and admit it to Ballona Creek. 
Permit denied February 4th. Culver City, Venice and Playa del 
Rey filed suits to enjoin discharge of raw or screened sewTage into 
Ballona Creek. Superior court granted injunction and gave city 
until September 15, 1922, to abate the existing nuisance. In 
August, a $12,000,000 bond issue was voted 4 to 1 to provide relief 
sewers, also new North Outfall sewer having capacity of 275 
m.g.d.; also two fine screening plants at Hyperion (for old Central 
Outfall and New North Outfall), having slots and work- 
ing capacity of 148 m.g.d.; also, a new 5,000-foot concrete sub- 
marine outfall 7 feet in diameter, into Santa Monica Bay. Out- 
fall capacity 250 m.g.d. at low tide, and 180 m.g.d. at high tide. 
3—25013 14 
Pollution survey 
1923—After hearing and considerable objection by beach cities, the 
State Board of Health granted permit for above sewage disposal 
project at Hyperion, as follows: 
“ORDER GRANTING SEWAGE DISPOSAL PERMITTO LOS 
ANGELES TO DISPOSE OF SEWAGE EFFLUENT INTO 
APPLICATION DATED NOVEMBER 22, 1922 
ORDER DATED JANUARY 6, 1923 
SANTA MONICA BAY (HYPERION) 
“Whereas, The City of Los Angeles has applied for permit to the State Board 
of Health for permit to dispose of a certain sewage effluent into the Santa 
Monica Bay, as more particularly set forth in a descriptive statement and 
general plans therefor, accompanying said application ; and 
“Whereas, It is the desire and intention of the State Board of Health to 
establish proper standards of cleanliness and safety to health, of all salt water 
bathing beaches and bodies of salt water affecting the public health and public 
enjoyment, which are or may become polluted by sewage or sewage effluent; and 
“Whereas, In pursuance thereof, it is the purpose of the State Board of 
Health to protect public beaches against the deposit of shore litter due to 
sewage, to preserve the safety of bathing beaches and bathing waters, and to 
prevent the creation of odors of putrefaction in the water, or odor at beaches 
due to sewage pollution ; and 
“Whereas, It is the opinion of this Board the proposed plant of sewage dis- 
posal will conform with the desire and intention of the State Board of Health 
to protect the beaches of Santa Monica Bay against contamination and 
nuisance; and 
“Whereas, The proposed plan of sewage treatment is such that it is feasible 
to construct future and additional treatment tanks of such type as, and when 
they may be required; and 
“Whereas, The State Board of Health has the authority to require such future 
and additional treatment works as and when required; and 
“Whereas, It is feasible to so conduct the operations of the treatment plant 
and disposal of screenings, such that there shall be no menace to public health 
and a minimum of offensive odor nuisance; therefore, be it 
“Resolved, That Permit be Granted to the City of Los Angeles to dispose of 
sewage effluent into Santa Monica Bay subject to the following conditions: 
“(a) All sewage shall be screened through sewage screens having a maximum 
width of screen slots of 1/16-inch and all disposed of, at or near Hype- 
rion, through an outfall discharging on the bottom of the Bay, at least 
5000 feet from low water shore line, all in accordance with general plans 
now on file with this Board and in accordance with detailed or working 
drawings as subsequently approved by said Board. The program of 
construction of the above works to be such that within eight months 
all sewage reaching the ocean shall be screened as above provided, 
disposal to be made through the existing outfall, and within two years 
all disposal shall be made through the 5000-foot outfall or outfalls above 
permitted, at which time the existing outfall shall be dismantled. 
“(b) Garbage, fecal matter, solid matter or oily sleek, recognizable as of 
sewage origin from said City, shall not be visible at any of the beaches 
outside of Hyperion Beach while owned by the City of Los Angeles. 
“(c) The quality of water at points, which in the absence of the sewage of 
Los Angeles, would be safe and suitable for public bathing purposes, 
shall conform to the bacterial standards for salt water bathing beaches, 
as may be established or modified from time to time by this Board. This 
provision shall not apply to Hyperion Beach while owned by the City of 
Los Angeles. 
“(d) There shall be no objectionable odor nuisance in the waters or at beaches 
used by the public. SANTA MONICA BAY BEACHES 
15 
“(e) The operations of the sewage treatment works and disposal of screenings 
shall be conducted so as to prevent a menace to the public health and to 
minimize offensive odor nuisance. 
“(f) It is understood that additional treatment works, changes in outfall or 
improvements in operation shall be provided when required by the State 
Board of Health.” 
By October, 1923, temporary discharge near Culver City was 
piped to Ballona Creek at Jackson Street in Culver City. On 
December 3,1923, the city engineer and the members of the Board 
of Public AVorks were adjudged in contempt of court and fined 
$250 each. 
1924 To relieve conditions in Ballona Creek, city piped overflow 
through temporary outfall into the ocean at Surf Street in Venice. 
Conditions became intolerable and Venice Beach was quarantined 
by the State Board of Health that summer. In October, new North 
Outfall and Hyperion Screening Plant was put in use with five 
fine screens in main plant. Included also were similar but smaller 
fine screens on the old Central Outfall and continued use of the 
Belle View Trestle Outfall. 
1925— Hyperion system and new Submarine Outfall in full use about 
May. Numerous leaks appeared at joints in Submarine Outfall, 
due to damage and pulverizing of bell and spigot joints because 
the pipe was laid under rush orders and heavy seas which caused 
many of the sections to be damaged when laid. In May, 1925, 
there were 35 such leaks. As rapidly as possible, divers were 
assembled and joints were repaired, only to be followed by fresh 
breaks. Hundreds of thousands of dollars were spent on such 
repairs in the next 10 years, all to no avail. Some breaks cost 
$20,000 to $35,000 to repair. During this interval, beach condi- 
tions were bad but variable, depending on status of repairs and 
especially on the extent of inshore leaks in shallow water. Least 
beach pollution occurred in 1928, 1929. 
1925 to 1930—01 d Central Outfall gradually disintegrated, and bricks 
continued to fall in and choke down the flow. Finally, in 1930, 
this outfall was abandoned, also its screening plant, thus leaving 
only the main plant with a working capacity on a 9-screen basis of 
180 m.g.d. The 1930 census was 1,238,000. Dry weather peak 
flows averaged 160 m.g.d. Sewered population in 1930, 1,400,000. 
Sewers uptown overloaded and much spouting of sewage on the 
streets through manholes. 
1931—In June, city defeated a $6,000,000 bond issue, most of which was 
for relief sewers, but $270,000 was for degreasing works at Hype- 
rion. 
1933—Raw sewage by-pass was installed around screening plant to the 
beach because of deficient screen capacity in storms. Same year, 
city recreational department sought Federal funds to develop an 
aquatic project at Playa del Rey and other beaches near Hyperion. 
The department sought approval from the State Board of Public 
Health to satisfy Federal requirements. Approval was refused 
but finally granted on condition that submarine outfall be made 
intact and that degreasing works be constructed. The beaches 16 
POLLUTION SURVEY 
were obtained or leased by the city and guard stations were sub- 
sequently established but the aquatic development was dropped. 
1934— City sought a PWA project for a degreasing plant at Hyperion but 
nothing came of it. 
1935— A huge WPA project was set up to remove the sand dunes at 
Hyperion in preparation for the construction of treatment works. 
Removal of the sand was practically completed but no construction 
ensued. 
1939—1n November, a Board of Consulting Engineers estimated 1,590,- 
000 people tributary to the Hyperion outfall. The Board 
reported: 
“the beaches of Santa Monica Bay are among the most accessible recreational 
resorts available to the people of Los Angeles and vicinity. Therefore, these 
beaches and shore waters if hygienically safe are of inestimable value. Since 
the time the first outfall was established at Hyperion many years ago, the 
adjacent beach and shore waters have been grossly contaminated. The extent 
of this pollution has been such that significant portions of the beach have 
been unusable and have been under quarantine by the Department of Public 
Health.” 
The board recommended for Hyperion immediate construction 
of grit and grease removal works, flocculation and sedimentation, 
disinfection, sludge digestion, and dewatering works, and investi- 
gation of the feasibility of repair of the existing submarine outfall. 
Estimated cost of Hyperion disposal, $8,000,000; and $1,400,000 
for repair of North and Central Outfalls. 
1940—Average dry weather peak flow for six dry months, 280 m.g.d. 
Daily average 128 m.g.d. Storm flows reaching Culver City are 
20 to 40 m.g.d. per inch of rainfall per day and may amount to 80 
to 130 m.g.d. above sanitary flow in more severe storms. Con- 
nected population estimated at 1,640,000. Census, 1,504,277. 
Estimated discharge of grease was Bto 10 tons per day. Sus- 
pended solids, 170 tons. Where North Outfall sewered through 
Baldwin Hills it had reached such a state of fracture during the 
last five years that the city began to fear that such surcharging by 
storm flows beyond its working capacity of about 275 m.g.d. would 
cause the outfall to burst and flood Venice and other areas. Board 
of Public Works requested permit from the State Board of Public 
Health to install a temporary two-year by-pass of 100 m.g.d. 
capacity to put excess flow into Ballona Creek at Jackson Street 
in Culver City. Permit was granted September 3,1940, for a two- 
year period, and conditioned on financing to allow making the 
repairs to the North Outfall, estimated to cost $1,000,000. At the 
same time, the State Board of Public Health suspended the permit 
of January 6, 1923, for the Hyperion works and disposal because 
of long-standing violations of its provisions. The board also 
ordered financing a program for construction, and the preparation 
within a year of plans for remedial works at Hyperion and there- 
upon granted temporary permit to continue Hyperion system for 
that period, conditioned further on excluding public from polluted 
beaches. SANTA MONICA BAY BEACHES 
17 
1941 (April). City failed to pass a special annual sewer tax levee of 
nine cents per hundred dollars to finance repair to North Outfall 
and improve sewage disposal. No progress on remedial works at 
Hyperion. 
On May sth, because of no visible assurance that the projected 
overflow into Ballona Creek would ever be discontinued, if inaugu- 
rated, the State Board of Public Health notified the City Council 
that permit to by-pass overflow to Ballona Creek would be can- 
celed July 1, 1941, unless definite assurance was given that the 
funds would be at once forthcoming to make the repairs to North 
Outfall and Hyperion System. This permit was never officially 
canceled but expired automatically September 3, 1942. 
On May 25, 1941, the State Board of Public Health reviewed 
recent communications from the City Council indicating that the 
matter of excluding the public from polluted beaches had been 
referred to the Public Health and Welfare Committee, and the 
board urged on that committee early establishment of police patrol 
of polluted beaches. This committee replied that the subject of 
sewage disposal was before another committee. 
September 15, 1941, the State Board of Public Health considered 
quarantining certain sections of Santa Monica Bay beaches by 
reason of sewage pollution and directed the Bureau of Sanitary 
Engineering to make a sustained study of the beaches to obtain 
data adequate for quarantine purposes. In December, 1941, 
study got under way, 
1942 Beach pollution study continued through 1942. 
On March 20, 1942, the State Board of Public Health denied per- 
mit to Board of Public Works to construct and use an alternate 
100 m.g.d. overflow from the North Outfall into Ballona Creek, 
this time at the foot of Duquesne Street. Permit had been 
requested March 11,1942, for a two-year period to October 1,1944. 
1943 Beach pollution survey continued to about April 1, 1943. 
April 3, 1943, State Board of Public Health established quaran- 
tine of surf and beach as far back as high tide for the area from 
Fourteenth Street in Hermosa Beach to Brooks Avenue in the 
Venice District of Los Angeles, a beach 10 miles long. 
At the present time, the city engineer is repairing the North Out- 
fall and has on the drafting board the preparation of plans for 
substantially the kind of treatment plant recommended by the 
Board of Consulting Engineers in 1939, but with an increase in 
capacity to be able to handle all the flow that can be carried by 
the existing North and Central Outfalls. Treatment plant would 
include removal of grit, grease, (using a new Vacuator device), 
settling with or without chemicals, provision for chlorination, 
digestion of sludge, and flash drying of sludge; also, for a new 
submarine outfall of length equal to the existing outfall but of 
better construction. There are also certain plans in mind for 
redeeming the existing Submarine Outfall by use of interior rub- 
ber liners over the joints. This can only be done after the new 
outfall is in use. The present breaks in the existing Submarine 
Outfall are, if anything, more serious than at any previous time. 18 
POLLUTION SURVEY 
SCHEME OF INVESTIGATION 
With Hyperion Outfall as the approximate center, 17 fixed sampling 
and observation stations were located in a 19-mile length of beach, from 
Malaga Cove near Palos Verde Hills to Santa Monica Canyon. At each 
of these stations surf water was sampled nearly every week for bac- 
teriological examination for Escherichia coli, hereafter referred to as 
“E. coli” and signifying the coliform group of bacteria. Sanitary 
observations were made twice a week at each station. The numerous 
constituents of sewage: feces, grease, matches, rubber goods and soap, 
were noted each time. A record was kept also of the various nonsewage 
debris, such as marine life, harbor and storm debris, garbage, lunch litter, 
oil and tar, to ascertain what, if any, relation existed to the constituents 
of sewrage found on these beaches. Actually no relation was found to 
exist between sewage debris and nonsewage debris. 
During the 12 months from January 1, 1942, to December 29, 1942, 
the number of visits to the 17 stations varied from 73 to 77. Forty-one 
to 45 cultures of the surf water per station were made between February 
16, 1942, and December 29, 1942. Contamination of the surf at Hype- 
rion Outfall (Station 9) was so great that, after a few tests, sampling at 
that station was discontinued. 
In addition, the sewage screening plant at Hyperion was visited each 
trip. Operating conditions wrere noted, such as breakdown of the screens, 
repairs, by-passing of either raw sewage to the beach or by-passing 
unscreened sewage through the Submarine Outfall, The overflow of 
screened sewage directly onto the beach was observed, also the condition 
of the outfall due to its leaks along its length. The glassy sleek field of 
sewage and £ ‘ rafts ’ ’ of sewage indicative of the spread of the sewage in 
Santa Monica Bay were sketched at each visit that they were observed. 
At the outset, lifeguards at the various stations were interviewed 
for their observations of behavior of current and wind and to obtain 
their estimates of the number of beach visitors. 
The headings under which the data of each visit were recorded fol- 
low : for each of the 17 stations, date and hour of visit, wind direction and 
velocity, current drift, condition of sea and spray, cleanliness of surf 
water, surf odor; the different classes of nonsewage debris; marine life, 
debris of storm origin, shipping debris, garbage, lunch litter, tar and oil; 
also sewage debris: soap, matches and rubber goods; the equivalent width 
of the grease band, type of grease, and its freshness; size and freshness of 
particles of feces, E. coli per c.c. in surf water and beach patronage. 
The Santa Monica City guards made special written reports for our 
department each morning and afternoon. The reports recorded wind 
direction and velocity, condition of sky, ocean, surf and state of current, 
and the estimated number of people in bathing suits and in street clothes 
in the Santa Monica City Beach area. This area extends from about 
midway between our Stations 14 and 15 to the terminal Station 17. 
At the end of each month, the attendance records for bathers and 
people in street clothes were obtained for all the publicly operated beaches 
from Redondo to Santa Monica, inclusive. 
Wind data, both as to direction and velocity, were obtained from the 
well-equipped Los Angeles City Weather Station located at Sunset Pier SANTA MONICA BAY BEACHES 
19 
in Venice. The recordings were later translated into terms of velocity 
and directions, from which the aggregate mileage of wind travel from 
each of the eight directions for each day of the year was compiled. 
Rainfall data by days and by storms were obtained from continuous 
rainfall record equipment at the United States Weather Bureau, whose 
gage is on the roof of the Federal Building in Los Angeles. Beginning 
February 16, 1942, samples of surf Avater were collected at each station 
nearly every week, and until June 9, 1942, samples were cultured by the 
investigator using the laboratory of the University of California at Los 
Angeles. After that date the culturing was done by the laboratory of the 
county health department, located at 808 North Spring Street in Los 
Angeles. By these arrangements samples were in the laboratory within 
1.5 to 7 hours after collection. Being kept on ice, it is reasonably certain 
that the counts did not change significantly during transit. Every week 
two to four samples were tested at the bacteriological laboratory of the 
University of California at Los Angeles, as controls. 
Rarely was culturing deferred until next day and in that case 
samples were put in the ice-box until being cultured. 
Special investigations were made to establish the death curve of 
coliform bacilli in the surf water during various periods of elapsed time 
between sampling and culturing, both when stored at ice-box temperature 
and at room temperature. 
Special studies were also made of the bacteriologic content of grease 
collected at random stations, including both freshly deposited grease and 
grease which had dried on the higher sands. Fresh grease particles were 
found to be rich in sewage organisms. 
A short series of analyses of air for air-borne sewage organisms was 
made on the Coast Highway opposite Playa del Rey Beach. During 
strong in-shore winds and heavy seas large numbers of typical sewage 
organisms were caught on the test plates, exposed at highway level. 
Based on some preliminary laboratory investigation in November, 
1942, culturing for paratyphoid organisms was started late in the investi- 
gation in collaboration with the bacteriological laboratory of the Univer- 
sity of California at Los Angeles. The findings are so indicative of the 
frequent occurrence of paratyphoid organisms in the polluted surf, sands 
and grease of Santa Monica Bay, that it is advisable to feature this phase 
of the investigation in future inquiries into the sanitation of these beaches. 
CONDITIONS OF SEWAGE PLANT DURING THE 
INVESTIGATION 
The sewage screening plant at Hyperion during all this investigation 
was kept in as good condition as was possible for this type of plant. The 
year 1942 was a dry one and sewage by-passing was at a minimum. 
Average sewage flow in 1942 was approximately 143 m.g.d. and average 
dry weather maximum flow for six dry months was 194 m.g.d. 
Figures derived a few years ago by the city engineer showed that 
about 170 tons of suspended solids on a dry basis reached the Hyperion 
plant daily. Of this 170 tons, only about 10 tons were removed by the 
screening process. At least 160 tons of suspended solids were discharged 
into the waters of Santa Monica Bay. The tests of the sewage also showed 
8 to 10 tons of grease were carried to the Hyperion plant and only a small 20 
POLLUTION SURVEY 
part of it is removable by the screening process. Since these figures were 
obtained, the flow of sewage and population using the sewers have 
increased, and hence the burden on Santa Monica Bay by the sewage is 
even higher than these figures indicate. 
At this point it may be pertinent to remark that in spite of so much 
sludge added to Santa Monica Bay, nothing has appeared on the beaches 
to suggest the formation of sludge banks around the present outfall or 
elsewhere, such as occurs in the case of outlets into enclosed harbors and 
bays. During the laying of the present Submarine Outfall in 1924 and 
1925, divers working on the inshore end reported a deep sludge deposit 
and sludge could be seen on the beaches. The deposit ivas due to disposal 
of raw sewage through the 2,000-foot Belle View Outfall. 
If such a deposit had occurred during this investigation, it would 
unquestionably also have revealed itself by pellets of black digested 
sludge in the sea or on the beaches. In the numerous inspections by 
divers along the whole length of the Submarine Outfall, the divers 
reported the ocean floor thoroughly clean. They also spoke of currents 
at times so strong it was difficult for a diver to withstand them. 
The only forms of pollution associated with the Hyperion Outfall 
have been bacterial pollution in suspension and in sand, or in the form 
of grease; the sewage grease itself; feces; visible sewage-borne material 
such as matches, rubber goods and soap; the discoloration of the sea water, 
and sewage-like surf odors. All of these have proven to be confirmatory 
indices of wide-spread travel of sewage from Hyperion onto the beaches 
of Santa Monica Bay. 
The city maintains a good operating record for each day of the year. 
Among other things it gives the dates, period and size of by-pass open- 
ing every time sewage was by-passed. 
A summary of the operating data for 1942 as it relates to by-passing 
shows the following: 
January—By-passed to ocean 25 days for 1.5 to 9.25 hours daily, 
averaging 4.6 hours per day. By-pass slot openingl was 4 feet wide and 
varied from a 4" slot to a 14" slot. 
February—By-passed to ocean 4 days for 35 minutes to 2 hours, 
averaging 1.6 hours. By-pass slot varied from 10" to 14". 
March—By-passed to ocean 5 times in 2 days averaging 2.6 hours 
ner by-pass. Slot opening 12" to 4' 0". By-passed to beach once for two 
hours. 
April—By-passed to ocean 11 times in 8 days, varying from 1.0 to 8 
hours, averaging 4.5 hours each by-passing. Slot opening 6" to 14". 
May—By-passed to ocean 2 days, 2.0 to 6.4 hours and averaging 4.2 
hours each day. Slot opening 5" and 8". 
October—By-passed to ocean two times in one day, 1.5 hours and 
4.25 hours respectively, averaging 2.9 hours. Slot opening 3" and 8". 
Also by-passed to beach 45 minutes on one day. 
November—By-passed to beach 12 minutes one day. 
There were various causes for by-passing the sewage plant other 
than flooding the sewers by storm water. The most common cause was 
screens out of use because of grease clogging or repairs. SANTA MONICA BAY BEACHES 
21 
The only flow that can now reach the main Hyperion Screening Plant 
is that from the North Outfall trunk sewer which has a capacity of 
approximately 275 m.g.d. Any catchment by the tributary sewers above 
this figure must be released to arroyos and storm drains within the city. 
Spewing and spouting of manholes during storms is a common sight in 
much of Los Angeles. Most of such overflow finally reaches Santa 
Monica Bay at Playa del Hey by way of Ballona Creek. 
The average screening plant capacity with eight screens in use 
would average 160 m.g.d.; with nine screens, 180 m.g.d.; and with all 10 
screens, 200 m.g.d. There were, however, a few periods when lard-like 
grease evidently from meat packing plants came down the sewer and at 
other times heavy oil appeared. These materials seriously cut down 
screen capacity. Clogging of the screens with lard was said to be at a 
minimum during 1942. 
The Submarine Outfall capacity is thought to be good for 190 to 
260 m.g.d, depending on the height of the tide over the outlet. 
Deficient outfall capacity as revealed by spewing of excess effluent 
at the relief manhole on the Submarine Outfall close to the bluff line was 
almost a daily occurrence. A small amount of effluent spilled onto the 
beach nearly every high tide. 
The condition of the Submarine Outfall in 1942 as far as one can 
judge by appearance was worse than in previous years. Leaks prevail 
all the way from midtide as far out as the eye can see. In October, 1942, 
a large manhole lid on the Submarine Outfall approximately 1,000 ft. 
offshore blew off, causing additional leakage. A photo of this leak and 
of other older leaks is shown in Pig. 5. 
Fig. 5. Leak in Submarine Outfall thought to be due to manhole blowing off in 
October, 1942, is shown at left of photo. Note other leaks to the right of this one. 
4—25013 22 
POLLUTION SURVEY 
DISCUSSION OF CURRENT MOVEMENT IN 
SANTA MONICA BAY 
The bearing of currents on the return of sewage solids and bacteria 
to shore and their distribution along shore must be manifest to even the 
casual observer and student of the subject. Current measurements in 
Santa Monica Bay are practically nonexistent as far as our search has 
revealed. The nearest approach to a scientific study appears to have 
been made by the Coast and Geodetic Survey a few years ago. Com- 
mander Lukens of the Los Angeles office advises that crews were stationed 
in Santa Monica Bay and in San Pedro Channel for several months try- 
ing to measure and observe surface currents, but they were generally too 
weak to measure and so variable and unpredictable in strength and direc- 
tion that the project was abandoned. Divers wprking on the ocean floor 
along the Submarine Outfall noted strong currents moving toward the 
deep San Pedro Channel. As noted previously this fact undoubtedly 
explains the absence of bottom sludge in Santa Monica Bay. 
As we understand Commander Lukens’ explanation of currents 
here, Santa Monica Bay is like a huge bowl whose westerly rim is the 
land, its bottom is the deep channel lying between land and the chain of 
channel islands roughly 40 miles offshore, and its opposite rim is the 
ocean shelf between these islands. Within the large bowl and along its 
shores, currents behave erratically just as they might in any bowl. In 
this case the movement is the composite effect of tidal currents, currents 
induced by wind, and those induced by thermal differences and changes 
in salinity. The volume of non-saline fresh sewage in one hour repre- 
sents a 50-foot column over the outlet one-half acre in size. Such a body 
of fresh water may easily set up local currents on its own account. In 
this case, the main motion and main currents evidently come from wind 
action. During the year’s observation in the course of this pollution 
study in 1942, surface tidal or coastal currents were not discernible or at 
most were vague. For example, during the summer when periods of 
calm persisted, the sleek field of sewage dispersed in every direction. 
On the other hand there were three fall months when wind-induced cur- 
rents up and down the coast should have been about equal. Yet there 
was a consistent evidence of southerly travel of sewage pollution judged 
by all constituents, and hence evidence of a southerly tidal current. At 
other times during these observations it has appeared that the sewage 
spread more widely up and down the coast than would be expected by 
mere wind direction or wind-induced currents, thus lending some further 
proof of some tidal currents strong enough to-offset the wind-induced 
currents. The main behavior of the surface current is nevertheless 
believed to be related to the behavior of the wind. In the light of this 
relationship it becomes understandable that the currents in Santa Monica 
Bay are unpredictable and whimsical just as are the winds themselves. 
The deposit or return of sewage pollution onto the shores of the bay from 
Hyperion Outfall is to be explained by the net effect and buffeting action 
of the various wind movements. Therefore, a particle of sewage may 
start its wind-blown journey seaward and then be tossed beach ward by a 
succeeding wind. The distribution of visible sewage matter on the 
shores of Santa Monica Bay can all be explained by this understanding 
of wind and wind-induced currents. SANTA MONICA BAY BEACHES 
23 
Light winds under three or four miles per hour (m.p.h.) seem 
slowly to generate a weak surface movement. At 5 m.p.h or more, the 
induced current is easily detectable to the eye. According to the United 
States Geodetic flJtfrvey, a wind velocity of 10 m.p.h. will generate a 
current of 30 ft. per minute; 20 m.p.h., 40 ft. per minute; and by 
extrapolation it may he concluded that a 5 m.p.h. wind will cause a cur- 
rent of approximately 20 ft. per minute. 
The “set” of the current is not, however, in the same direction as 
the wind. According to the Coast and Geodetic Survey, wands from the 
southwest set a current more strongly to the north and winds from the 
northwest set a current still more strongly to the southwest. Currents 
induced by the west wind show no deviation from wind direction. Thus, 
it would be expected that winds from the southwest would cause pollution 
from the Hyperion Outfall to be carried further up the coast toward 
Santa Monica, while winds from the northwest would carry pollution 
still further down the coast. 
WINDS 
There are several ways by which wind influences the behavior of 
sewage disposed of through Hyperion Outfall. The significance of wind- 
induced currents which move a great body of baeterially infected water 
has already been indicated in discussing currents. But likewise, cur- 
rents are a vehicle for transporting litter of all kinds. Whether the litter 
is floating or is in semisuspension the wind transports the floating sewage 
litter and grease just as it will anything floating. 
Beneficially, wind of some strength breaks up the sleek fields of 
sewage and sewage rafts and makes them inconspicuous. But, at the 
same time, the spume and spray send to the air additional sewage odors 
and even bacteria, causing what some have termed “germ fog,” which 
the strong winds carry considerable distances. 
Wind data for this area are particularly complete by reason of the 
data collected by the Los Angeles Weather Station at Sunset Pier in 
Venice. Here, continuous recordings of wind as to velocity and direction 
are made and the data can be studied in any manner desired. 
For the investigation here reported hourly velocities of wind for 
each direction were first taken off for each day of the year and in turn, 
daily wind movement by quadrants was compiled and charted on Fig. 6. 
In turn, wind movement was totaled for each month of the year by 
quadrants, also in all directions and more particularly for those winds 
that blew beachward. This summary appears in Table 1. 
Similar data had already been computed for 1939 by the city engi- 
neer and are included here as Table 2 because it allows comparison between 
two different years. The year 1942 was a less windy year than 1939 in 
all months of the year except November. The annual average wind move- 
ment in miles per day was 155.4 miles for 1939, compared with 148.2 miles 
per day for 1942. The summaries show that April and May, 1942, were 
windy months, whereas the summer months were markedly less windy 
than in 1939. 
A perusal of Tables 1 and 2 shows what is generally suspected, that 
the main winds on this coast are: (1) from the southwest, which even at 
its weakest in winter averaged 25 to 50 miles travel per day in 1942 
and in summer 90 to 100 miles; (2) from the northeast, especially in 24 
POLLUTION SURVEY 
Fig. 6. Daily Wind Travel in 1942 From Directions Shown. Based on Hourly Wind 
Records of Los Angeles City Weather Station. SANTA MONICA BAY BEACHES 
25 
winter and late fall, averaging for 1942, 25 to 67 miles travel per day, 
compared to an average of only 7 to 10 miles per day in summer months; 
(3) the west wind is normally third in magnitude, but for 1942 it was 
especially weak in summer, averaging only 4 to 5 miles travel per day in 
June and July, compared to 44 miles the summer of 1939. Beach con- 
ditions, bad as they were in 1942, would be still more serious in another 
year of stronger on-shore summer wind. 
Wind movement from the south, southwest, west and northwest is 
toward some beach. Of a total annual wind movement of 54,500 miles 
in 1942, 35,500 miles were beachward. Twenty-seven thousand miles 
were beachward from the Hyperion Outfall toward Santa Monica, and 
8,500 miles of wind movement were directly on-shore or else toward 
southerly beaches. 
TABLE 1. AVERAGE MILES OF WIND MOVEMENT PER DAY FROM 
DIRECTIONS SHOWN BY MONTHS FOR YEAR 1942 
WIND FROM 
Total 
in 
miles 
in 
all 
direc- 
tions 
Beachward 
movement 
Toward 
north- 
erly 
beaches 
Toward 
Hype- 
rion and 
south- 
erly 
beaches 
NW. 
N. 
NE. 
E. 
SE. 
S. 
sw. 
W. 
January. 
4.7 
13.2 
54.2 
7.7 
2.5 
5.1 
23.3 
19.8 
130,5 
28.4 
24.5 
February 
7.9 
2.9 
49.7 
4.2 
5.6 
15.4 
43.0 
17.1 
145.8 
58.4 
25.0 
March 
1.6 
5.4 
44.0 
5,3 
4.3 
8,5 
70.9 
18.5 
158.5 
79.4 
20.1 
April 
6.7 
7.1 
28.2 
11.8 
6.5 
11.6 
89.3 
14.0 
175.2 
100.9 
20.7 
May.. 
1.3 
2.7 
26.2 
7.1 
5.8 
7.7 
98.0 
28.4 
177.2 
105.7 
29.7 
June 
0.2 
2.3 
9.7 
7.2 
9.2 
10.3 
99.9 
3.9 
142.7 
110.2 
4.1 
July 
1.6 
1.0 
8.3 
5.7 
7.0 
20.8 
92.8 
5.3 
142.5 
113.6 
6.9 
August 
1.1 
0.4 
7.4 
6.9 
5.8 
5.9 
96.0 
14.7 
138.2 
104.9 
15.8 
September 
1.5 
1.4 
23.6 
5.3 
5.9 
1.7 
67.4 
26.8 
133.6 
69.1 
28.3 
October 
7.1 
1.6 
29.4 
12.9 
10,5 
7.0 
45.4 
27.6 
141.5 
52.4 
34.7 
November . ... .. 
4.6 
4.7 
67.5 
14.2 
5.0 
4.9 
29.8 
31.2 
161.9 
34.7 
35.8 
December . . . 
9.2 
3.8 
55.0 
10.3 
2.8 
1.9 
24.4 
23.8 
131.2 
26.3 
33.0 
From Hourly Wind Records of Los Angeles City Weather Station at Sunset 
Winds toward beaches are: South and southwest toward Hyperion Beach and beaches north of it; west and northwest 
winds toward beaches south of Hyperion. 
TABLE 2. AVERAGE MILES OF WIND MOVEMENT PER DAY FROM 
DIRECTIONS SHOWN BY MONTHS FOR YEAR 1939 FOR COM- 
PARISON WITH SIMILAR STATISTICS FOR 1942 
WIND FROM 
Total 
all 
NW. 
N. 
NE. 
E. 
SE. 
S. 
SW. 
W. 
direc- 
tions 
6.6 
19.5 
48.8 
17.4 
7.8 
6.7 
10.0 
36.9 
153.7 
10,7 
44.5 
39.8 
8.0 
1.2 
4.0 
26.5 
44.5 
179,2 
2.3 
5.0 
28.0 
7.7 
12.6 
5.2 
55.0 
49.6 
165.4 
1.8 
2.1 
20.5 
9.4 
6.6 
3.0 
73.6 
37.8 
154.8 
3.3 
1.7 
13.9 
5.4 
3.6 
3.2 
81.0 
54.5 
166.6 
2.2 
1.8 
16.4 
3.6 
3.8 
5.4 
84.0 
44.0 
161.2 
July 
1.6 
1.4 
8.7 
6.6 
4.3 
3.1 
87.0 
43.5 
156.2 
2.4 
1.1 
11.8 
7.9 
6.6 
5.4 
88.0 
26.2 
149.4 
4.3 
5.2 
23.4 
12.5 
8.2 
4.9 
52,2 
35.5 
146.2 
5.3 
6.7 
51.5 
11,5 
1.7 
2.9 
36.5 
39.0 
155.1 
2.0 
3.9 
68.5 
9.1 
4.4 
3.4 
18.5 
19.5 
129.3 
5.9 
11.8 
64.0 
8.2 
3.8 
3.1 
25.3 
27.3 
148.5 
From Hourly Wind Records of Los Angeles City Weather Station at Sunset Pier 26 
POLLUTION SURVEY 
The percentage of wind movement from Hyperion Outfall toward 
these respective beaches is shown in Table 3. In winter the wind move- 
ment toward beaches from Hyperion Outfall averaged fairly even for all 
parts of Santa Monica Bay, but in summer 80 per cent of the wind move- 
ment was toward northerly beaches. In October, November and Decem- 
ber, on-shore winds to the north and to the south beaches averaged about 
the same. Winds from the northeast increased in these months. This 
latter wind carried pollution southerly. When on-shore winds followed, 
as was frequently the case, Station 5 in Hermosa Beach experienced its 
worst pollution. Station 6 also received its worst pollution in these fall 
months. 
Of course, overall air movement due to winds does not tell the com- 
plete story. Other traits also affect the transporting power of wind. For 
example, there is the shifting around of wind from hour to hour and, in 
consequence, a buffeting action on floating particles. There is a saying 
hereabouts that in daytime Avind is from the sea and at night from the 
land, and that the wind ‘ ‘ boxes the compass. ’ ’ To portray the vacillation 
of the wind for any length of time would require pages of data. It may 
be sufficient therefore to illustrate the point from the actual wind record 
of a couple of typical days, hour by hour, presented in Table 4. The weak 
though fairly persistent night breeze from the northeast Avas folloAved 
by a gradual shift to the light soutlmest breeze in the afternoon. In 
summer, the night breezes were still more erratic and feeble, Avhereas the 
southwest wind was strong and persistent. Other days would shovv 
extreme variations from these patterns. 
TABLE 3. PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL WIND MOVEMENT WHICH WAS 
BEACHWARD FROM HYPERION OUTFALL IN 1942 
As Derived From Table 1 
Toward 
Northerly 
Beaches 
Toward Hyperion 
Beach and Southerly 
Beaches 
January 21.9% 18.8% 
February 40.0 17.4 
March 50.3 12.7 
April 59.7 11.8 
May 59.7 16.8 
June 77.2 2.8 
July 79.8 4.8 
August 76.0 11.4 
September 51.6 21.2 
October 87.1 24.6 
November 23.1 22.1 
December 20.0 25.1 SANTA MONICA BAY BEACHES 
27 
TABLE 4. SHOWING HOURLY WIND VELOCITY AND DIRECTION FOR 
TYPICAL DAYS TO ILLUSTRATE THAT WIND 
“BOXES THE COMPASS” 
From Hourly Wind Records of Los Angeles City Weather Bureau 
A winter day 
A summer day 
NW. 
N. 
NE. 
E. 
SE. 
S. 
SW. 
W. 
NW. 
N. 
NE. 
E. 
SE. 
S. 
SW. 
W, 
1 A.M 
4 
5 
2 
2 
2 
3 
5 
3 
2 
4 
6 
5 
3 
5 
1 
6... 
2 
7 
4 
1 
8 
4 
2 
9 
4 
4 
10 
4 
5 
11 
3 
5 
8 
9 
10 
12 
13 
14 
15 
13 
11 
9 
6 
5 
1 P.M 
7 
8 
9 
8 
11 
9 
2. 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
12 
8 
8 
9 
2 
3 
4 
4 
10 
11 
5 
5 
Moreover, feeble winds induce little movement at sea of floating 
particles. The reverse is true of the strong breezes or winds. The net 
effect on beaches is the result of many hours of previous wind, and sim- 
plification of prediction or of explanation of beach pollution by winds is 
a refinement not yet possible to us. The erratic winds and currents like- 
wise leave the beach visitor wholly unable to predict when the beach will 
be either clean or dangerous. The only way to redeem these beaches is 
to remove the suspended solids and grease before discharge to the ocean. 
SLEEK FIELDS 
Sewage sleek fields are areas of glassy sea around sewer outfalls. 
They are due to oil and grease. They were commonly observed and 
associated with Hyperion Outfall. The sleek fields were sketched as 
noted 74 times during the year. It is to be realized that sleek fields 
change rapidly with winds and currents. Observed beach deposits give 
a better index of the effects of fields of sewage. 
Table 5, and also Pig. 7, portray the seeming behavior and variation 
of sleek fields as seen in these visits to Hyperion Outfall. The observa- 
tions were usually in late forenoon. 
In the 74 inspections for sleek fields, actual “rafts” of sewage were 
observed nine times. These rafts are compact masses of the coarse 
material, grease pellets and colored water issuing from the sewer outfall, 
which under conditions of calm sea frequently concentrate in narrow 
bands or small islands. Sometimes these rafts traveled a long way before 
breaking up. They have been seen as far north as Station 14 and as far 
south as Station 5, a spread of approximately 10 miles. 28 
POLLUTION SURVEY 
TABLE 5. SHOWING FREQUENCY OF OBSERVED DIRECTION OF 
TRAVEL OF SLEEK FIELDS FROM HYPERION OUTFALL 
DURING 74 OBSERVATIONS IN 1942 
Down Coast Up Coast 
(Southerly) Head-on (Northerly) 
January 3 times 3 times 1 time 
February 2 4 1 
March 4 14 
April 2 2 2 
May 3 2 2 
June 0 4 2 
July 12 2 
August 2 2 1 
September 4 3 0 
October 2 2 0 
November 3 0 1 
December 14 1 
Total * 27 29 18 
Fig. 7. Sketches Showing- Characteristic Sewage “Sleek” Fields from 
Hyperion Outfall. SANTA MONICA BAY BEACHES 
29 
Fig. 8. Characteristic Sewage “Rafts” from Hyperion Outfall. 
RAINFALL 
Rainfall records for 1942 at Los Angeles City Weather Station at 
United States Weather Bureau at Federal Building, Los Angeles are as 
follows: 
Inches 
January 1 .22 
January 21 .09 
January 22 .28 
January 25 Trace 
February 14 .04 
February 21 .98 
February 22 .01 
February 27 .02 
March 11 .23 
March 12 Trace 
March 14 1.03 
March 24 Trace 
April 3 .29 
April 4 .20 
April 5 .30 
April 6 Trace 
April 9 .02 
April 10 .38 
April 11 .28 
April 12 Trace 
April 14 .40 
April 17 .30 
Inches 
April 20 .01 
April 21 .21 
April 28 .05 
August 9 .19 
August 10 .04 
August 31 Trace 
October 11 .02 
October 12 Trace 
October 28 .56 
November 3 .04 
November 15 .04 
November 18 .10 
November 19 . .06 
December 5 Trace 
December 17 .01 
December 23 .19 
December 24 L .52 
December 25 .29 
Total, 1942 7.40 
Normal 15.23 
Traces of rain on May 1, 7, 26; June 6, 10, 12, 25; September 18. 
The normal rainfall is 15.23 inches. Therefore, 1942 was decidedly 
a dry year and by-passing of sewage was no doubt reduced in con- 
sequence. 
BEACH USE AND CROWDS 
From Malaga Cove on up the coast through Los Angeles County is 
an endless sandy beach that is a most popular source of seashore recrea- 
tion for much of southern California. In the 20-mile stretch covered by 
this investigation there are 14 major beaches so far as ownership and 
5—25013 30 
POLLUTION SURVEY 
management are concerned. These are listed on Table 6. They aggre- 
gate 15.5 miles in length and provide recreation for upwards of 40,000,000 
visitor-days per year. 
Use of beaches for recreation is year-long. Some use is made of every 
beach every day of the year. The hugeness of crowds is quite definitely 
related to warm weather and to week-end and holiday travel. Warm 
weather in mid-week is almost certain to start throngs of people planning 
a week-end visit to the beaches and at such times all beaches are crowded 
to the limit. Photos in Fig. 9, 10 and 11 give only a meager idea of beach 
crowds. Table 7 shows certain weather data more or less related to recre- 
ational activity. The visitors swim, lounge on the sands and eat their 
lunches there. Children play in the wet sands where waves lap the shore. 
Following completion of the Coast Boulevard, about 1933, connect- 
ing Playa del Rey and El Segundo, the heretofore little-used Hyperion 
beaches also began to draw increasing crowds which overflowed from the 
more heavily patronized beaches north and south. These beaches between 
Ballona Creek and Hyperion, about three miles in length, are among the 
closest to Los Angeles proper, and afford easy automobile parking. 
TABLE 6. SHOWING PUBLIC AND MAJOR PRIVATE RECREATION 
FRONTAGES ON SANTA MONICA BAY COVERED 
BY INVESTIGATION 1942 
Beach and owner 
Jurisdiction 
Beach 
frontage 
Station 
(a) Torrance City 
4,500 ft. 
2 
4,000 ft. 
Bet. 2 & 3 
(c) Redondo (County)._ . 
3,500 ft. 
3 
(d) Private-P. E. Ry 
1,500 ft. 
(e) Redondo City . 
4,000 ft. 
4 
(f) Hermosa City.. 
11,000 ft. 
(g) Manhattan City (City, etc.) 
4,000 ft. 
(h) Manhattan (State Park Dept.) 
4,750 ft. 
7 
(i) El Porto (County) . 
2,800 ft. 
8 
7,700 ft. 
10 
(k) West Port Beach Club, etc. Private (closed) 
4,700 ft. 
11 
15,400 ft. 
12, 13, 14 
(m) Santa Monica City .. 
13,000 ft. 
15, 16 
(n) Santa Monica State 
1,100 ft. 
17 
Barring quarantine, they could be as heavily patronized as any. In 1933, 
the Los Angeles City Recreation Department made plans for an elaborate 
aquatic park development here, but had to abandon the plans, largely 
because of the pollution aspect. However, the recreation department did 
construct stairways down to the beach and established lifeguards, and 
the beach has become very popular. 
Bach of these beaches gets more or less lifeguard service by city, 
county or State, depending on jurisdiction. In most of them guards are 
maintained only through the summer months. Lifeguards are kept on all 
year at city and State beaches in Santa Monica, also at the headquarters 
at Sunset Pier in Venice, and at Hermosa Beach Pier. 
Most of the beaches are also given some kind of beach cleaning. The 
common practice is simply to rake up the large debris by hand rakes. 
Hermosa Beach has a novel tractor rake which is used from spring until 
fall, sometimes as often as four or five times a week. It removes some of 
the debris and the remainder is harrowed into the sand by the machine— 
and to outward appearances, the beaches so raked appear physically clean 
after the operation. SANTA MONICA BAY BEACHES 
31 
Fig. 9. An ordinary Sunday beach crowd in summer. Playa del Rey Beach, south of 
West Port Beach Club near Station 10. 
Pig. 10. A beach crowd just south of Venice Pier (in distance) same day as 
Photograph No. 6. Near Station 13. POLLUTION- SURVEY 
Fig. 11. Santa Monica State Beach, showing Santa Monica Canyon Creek traversing 
the beach, also a mid-week crowd in warm weather. At Station 17. 
TABLE 7. SUMMARY OF WEATHER, WIND, AND 
OF BEACH PATRONAGE—I 942 
1942 
Beach 
patronage 
(thousands) 
Temperature, 
1:00 p.m. 
Days 
sky 
clear 
10:00 
a.m. 
Rained 
Wind travel—average miles per day 
Days wind 
velocity 
was: 
Total 
all 
direc- 
tions 
Toward beaches 
Bath- 
ers 
Spec- 
tators 
Air 
0 
S 
p 
1 
i 
Northerly 
Hyperion and 
southerly 
Above 
10 
m.p.h. 
5-10 
m.p.h. 
t> 
te 
l 
g 
P 
M 
g 
5 
Days 
Inches 
Miles 
Per 
cent 
Miles 
Per 
cent 
Jan 
85 
575 
63 
90 
52 
54 
12 
3 
0.59 
130.5 
28.4 
21.9 
24.5 
18.8 
5 
21 
Feb 
122 
674 
65 
77 
46 
54 
7 
4 
1.05 
145.8 
58.4 
40.0 
25.0 
17.4 
14 
14 
Mar 
518 
696 
68 
81 
45 
55 
15 
2 
1.26 
158.5 
79.4 
50.3 
20.1 
12.7 
18 
13 
April 
426 
1,105 
70 
82 
61 
62 
6 
11 
2.44 
175.2 
100.9 
69.7 
20.7 
11.8 
18 
12 
May 
5,736 
5,905 
69 
83 
62 
59 
16 
0 
0 
177.2 
105.7 
59.7 
29.7 
16.8 
20 
10 
June 
1,147 
1,647 
74 
78 
68 
62 
3 
0 
0 
142.7 
110.2 
77.2 
4.1 
2.8 
17 
13 
July 
4,217 
4,294 
75 
80 
67 
64 
5 
0 
0 
142.5 
113.6 
79.8 
6.9 
4.8 
19 
12 
Aug 
3,365 
3,247 
73 
83 
66 
64 
2 
2 
0.23 
138.2 
104.9 
76.0 
15.8 
11.4 
13 
17 
Sept 
1,336 
1,603 
75 
80 
70 
62 
3 
0 
0 
133.6 
69.1 
51.6 
28.3 
21.2 
14 
16 
Oct 
518 
693 
73 
87 
52 
63 
7 
2 
0.58 
141.5 
52,4 
37.1 
34.7 
24.6 
9 
21 
Nov. 
507 
903 
70 
85 
60 
58 
17 
4 
0.24 
161.9 
34.7 
23.1 
35.8 
22.1 
7 
22 
Dec 
125 
373 
67 
86 
54 
52 
17 
4 
1.01 
131.2 
26.3 
20.0 
33.0 
25.1 
5 
25 SANTA MONICA BAY BEACHES 
33 
1942 
Redondo 
County Beach 
Redondo 
City Beach 
Hermosa 
City Beach 
Manhattan 
City Beach 
Manhattan 
State Beach 
El Porto 
County Beach 
Los Angeles 
City Beach 
Santa Monica 
City Beach 
Santa Monica 
State Beach 
Total 
B 
S 
B 
S 
B 
s 
B 
S 
B 
S 
B 
S 
B 
S 
B 
S 
B 
S 
B 
S 
Total Mo 
nthly Visitors in 
thousands 
1 
13 
1 
21 
15 
138 
2 
14 
1 
9 
1 
8 
2 
151 
56 
162 
6 
59 
85 
575 
I 
16 
5 
20 
24 
183 
5 
14 
1 
11 
3 
20 
1 
126 
74 
223 
8 
61 
122 
674 
6 
30 
3 
36 
80 
217 
15 
41 
9 
31 
7 
29 
4 
171 
349 
245 
35 
96 
508 
896 
9 
25 
14 
35 
239 
533 
15 
39 
15 
31 
8 
25 
88 
339 
38 
77 
426 
1,104 
5,905 
19 
52 
14 
48 
504 
1,027 
905 
18 
35 
98 
153 
39 
64 
1,468 
2,850 
241 
3,489 
367 
75 
87 
1,601 
166 
5,736 
24 
52 
22 
35 
399 
25 
37 
20 
37 
31 
57 
128 
117 
131 
1,147 
1,647 
62 
98 
85 
123 
1,130 
2,532 
102 
153 
87 
163 
143 
245 
279 
476 
2,135 
182 
194 
322 
4,217 
4,294 
51 
96 
53 
77 
984 
1,813 
80 
114 
41 
92 
140 
275 
275 
416 
1,639 
534 
173 
102 
191 
3,365 
3,247 
31 
54 
16 
34 
414 
773 
52 
68 
47 
106 
29 
63 
146 
252 
117 
67 
136 
1,336 
1,603 
8 
20 
6 
23 
228 
334 
17 
41 
16 
33 
96 
163 
147 
79 
518 
693 
7 
22 
6 
13 
231 
452 
15 
46 
12 
32 
65 
174 
171 
164 
507 
903 
4 
11 
3 
11 
19 
50 
6 
24 
10 
35 
29 
122 
54 
120 
125 
373 
223 
489 
228 
476 
4,267 
8,957 
352 
626 
319 
633 
439 
886 
2,581 
5,481 
9,015 
1,657 
668 
2,709 
18,092 
21,914 
Visitors in 
Thousands for Maximum Day 
0.1 
1.2 
0.3 
4.3 
1.3 
11.0 
0.3 
2.0 
0.2 
0.9 
0.2 
1.5 
0.3 
14.0 
8.0 
17.0 
2.0 
8.0 
12.7 
59.9 
0.3 
2.0 
2.0 
3.0 
6.0 
15.0 
0.5 
1.0 
0.3 
2.0 
1.0 
4.0 
2.0 
13.0 
26.0 
22.0 
2.0 
9.0 
40.1 
71.0 
2.0 
7.0 
1.0 
7.0 
15.0 
22.0 
5.0 
8.0 
4.0 
6.0 
2.0 
3.0 
1.0 
20 0 
100.0 
20.0 
8.0 
15.0 
138.0 
108.0 
2.0 
5.0 
5.0 
8.0 
70.0 
100.0 
5,0 
9.0 
6.0 
11.0 
1.2 
3.0 
12.0 
22.0 
9.0 
12.0 
110.2 
170.0 
4.0 
8.0 
4.0 
10.0 
100.0 
135.0 
5.0 
8.0 
12.0 
21.0 
8.0 
16.0 
14.0 
23.0 
80.0 
20.0 
11.0 
21.0 
238.0 
262.0 
June 
July 
5.0 
8.0 
7.0 
7.0 
20.0 
15,0 
7.0 
7.0 
8.0 
7.0 
12.0 
8.0 
77.0 
175.0 
122.0 
132.0 
250.0 
189.0 
9.0 
11.0 
15.0 
10.0 
15.0 
20.0 
3.0 
9.0 
5.0 
6.0 
15.0 
10.0 
8.0 
11.0 
12.0 
14.0 
21.0 
24.0 
16.0 
30.0 
25.0 
33.0 
60.0 
52.0 
43.0 
280.0 
325.0 
14.0 
14.0 
16.0 
18.0 
28.0 
21.0 
27.0 
40.0 
35.0 
186.0 
559.0 
540.0 
250.0 
447.0 
369.0 
5.0 
5.0 
3.0 
5.0 
95.0 
150.0 
13.0 
16.0 
6.0 
12.0 
6.0 
13.0 
12.0 
40.0 
105.0 
14.0 
12.0 
24.0 
257.0 
279.0 
2.0 
4.0 
2.0 
4.0 
85.0 
100.0 
5.0 
9.0 
4.0 
4.0 
9.0 
16.0 
38.0 
15.0 
145.0 
152.0 
1.0 
3.0 
1.0 
2.0 
65.0 
115.0 
5.0 
14.0 
3.0 
4.0 
4.0 
11.0 
70.0 
36.0 
149.0 
185.0 
0.4 
1.2 
0.4 
2.0 
4.0 
6.0 
1.0 
3.0 
0.3 
3.0 
9.0 
3.0 
7.0 
10.0 
30.0 
21.8 
58.5 
36.8 
78.4 
40.7 
72.3 
815.3 
1,225.0 
74.8 
115.0 
45.5 
84.2 
59.4 
116.5 
128.3 
311.0 
1,085.0 
218.0 
111.0 
191.0 
2,396.8 
2,411.4 
TABLE 8. SHOWING NUMBER OF BEACH VISITORS IN THOUSANDS TO BEACHES IN 1942 
B—ln Bathing Suits; S—ln Street Clothes 34 
POLLUTION SURVEY 
Beaches south from the Standard Oil Tank Farm, including Redondo 
Beach and also the beaches from Playa del Rey north have always been 
popular. They are easily accessible; they are broad and their sand is 
fine-grained. There are recreation piers, concessions, and, in recent 
years, lifeguard protection, all of which attracts recreation-minded 
crowds. 
The guards at all beaches attempt to make a count each day which 
enables them to estimate the crowds using their particular beach. The 
figures herein have been obtained from these lifeguard records, and 
appear in monthly summary form in Table 8. It is to be noted that in 
1942 there was an estimated total of 40,000,000 beach visitors in the 
section covered by this investigation. Of the number, 18,000,000 were in 
bathing suits, and 22,000,000 in street clothes. Within the 10 miles of 
quarantined area alone, it is estimated that in 1942 there were about 
20,000,000 visitors, or half of the total. Of these, over 6,000,000 were in 
bathing suits. 
Even in the grossly polluted section between Playa del Rey and 
Hyperion, the guards estimated 5,000,000 total visitors for the year. For 
a single heavy day in July, 1942, the poll showed 1,000,000 for all the 
beaches listed, and 470,000 occupied the beaches now under quarantine. 
Nearly 40 per cent of the people were bathers. On the Fourth of July, 
1941, it was estimated that 90,000 people used the grossly polluted Playa 
del Rey Beach alone. On warm wTeek ends, 40,000 to 50,000 people used 
it per day and on warm weekdays, 8,000 to 15,000 per day. 
A study of average density of use of these beaches, considering the 
frontage of each, shows the following for the maximum day for July, 
1942, which was the heaviest day for visitors to the beaches: 
Visitors per 100 ft. 
frontage 
Redondo County Beach 234 
Redondo City Beach 320 
Hermosa City Beach 3,800 
Manhattan City Beach 650 
Manhattan State Beach 500 
El Porto County Beach 450 
Los Angeles City Beach (El Segundo to Santa Monica) 276 
Santa Monica City Beach 2,260 
Santa Monica State Beach 6,200 
It is to be concluded that large numbers of people are menaced by 
this beach pollution. As a corollary even larger numbers would be well 
served by a clean-up of the polluted conditions. The heavy use of Her- 
mosa Beach, part of which lies in the quarantined area, points to the 
capacity of the Santa Monica Bay beaches to serve the south. To redeem 
beaches so valuable as these and provide an economical recreation for 
millions of people surely justifies considerable investment in keeping 
the surf and beaches clean and safe. Furthermore, until the sewage 
hazard is removed, the people inclined to use the more polluted beaches 
need to be forewarned or even protected in their choice of recreation. 
Contrary to indications in the earlier analyses of surf water by the 
city engineer that filth from beach crowds caused high E. coli counts, 
this investigation in 1942 reveals no pollution effects of consequence by 
the crowds in any particular, except possibly heavier deposits of non- 
sewage lunch debris. SANTA MONICA BAY BEACHES 
35 
RESULTS OF SAMPLING OF SURF AND OF OBSERVATIONS 
The section each side of Hyperion Outfall selected for the sanitary 
survey was laid out to encompass all the area that had previously been 
reputed as receiving sewage in any noticeable amount. This systematic 
study ended on the south at Malaga Cove below Palos Verde Hills and 
on the north at Santa Monica Canyon Creek in Santa Monica, thus cover- 
ing a distance of approximately 19 miles. As mentioned previously, the 
] 9 miles was divided into 17 stations, Station 9 being the Hyperion Out- 
fall itself, with 8 stations each side of the outfall. 
Stations were spaced 0.7 to 1.55 miles apart, but the separation of 
stations was modified by such considerations as convenience or access to 
the beach, popularity of their use and avoidance of piers, creeks or 
abnormal conditions that might introduce a form of pollution that would 
be confused with that due to the Hyperion Outfall. The choice of 
stations has proven to be fortunate, except possibly two of the most 
northerly ones, Stations 15 and 17 in Santa Monica, where creeks or 
storm sewers were difficult to escape. The position of stations with 
respect to city boundaries is shown on the map, Fig. 1, page 9. The 
stations are described in more detail later on in the report, together with 
a word summary of the behavior of each station as regards its cleanliness 
or pollution throughout the investigation. 
Under the present heading, the purpose is to consider the mass of 
evidence as related to Santa Monica Bay as a whole. Three general 
classes of material go to make the estimate of the extent and degree of 
pollution of Santa Monica Bay and fix its origin. These are: First, the 
sewage organisms of which E. coli is the recognized best index; second, 
sewage litter, debris, discolored water and malodors which are outstand- 
ingly of sewer origin; and third, the non-sewage debris. 
Sewage debris includes rubber goods, matches, soap and especially 
sewage grease which the aggregate households of the city send down the 
kitchen drains in large quantity. Nonsewage debris means the litter one 
sees on most shores—kelp and seaweed, harbor and shipping debris such 
as boxes, crates, sticks and timbers from waterfront work, garbage-like 
material, lunch refuse and papers, oil and tar. Many of these latter 
items have points of origin of their own and the pattern of their dispersal 
helps to understand the spread of constituents emerging from Hyperion 
Outfall. 
E. coli in Surf Water. The samples of surf water for this investi- 
gation were collected by the investigator of the Bureau of Sanitary 
Engineering at the several stations, usually once a week from February 
16, 1942, through the year. The samples were taken regularly on Tues- 
day and only occasionally on a Monday. Thus they do not overlap the 
periods of week-end crowds. Routine sampling began February 16, 
1942. Forty-four series were thereafter obtained or a total of 750 
samples. 
Samples were taken irrespective of tide, wind, crowds or other con- 
ditions. Therefore they most nearly represent the average of all condi- 
tions that occur during daylight hours for the forepart of the week. 
Samples were collected using a 20-foot bamboo pole from the end of 
which a sterile sample bottle of about 120 c.c. capacity was dangled from 36 
POLLUTION SURVEY 
a short loop. Samples were taken from an incoming wave by reaching 
as far out as the pole permitted. When sampling in polluted water, the 
loop cord was wiped fairly dry and sterilized by an alcohol antiseptic 
after each use. 
During the early part of the investigation, until June 6th, there 
was more or less parallel culturing in the bacteriological laboratory of the 
University of California in Los Angeles and in the County Laboratory 
under Dr. R. Y. Stone. Thereafter the remaining samples were analyzed 
in Dr. Stone’s laboratory. 
Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Sewage as 
issued by the American Public Health Association were followed through- 
out. Dilutions routinely were two 1 c.c. portions, two 0.1 c.c. and two 
0.01 c.c. Inoculation was into lactose broth for 24 to 48 hours. All 
presumptive coliform bacilli were confirmed on Eosin Methylene Blue 
agar (E. M. B.) and doubtful colonies were put through the completed 
test using lactose broth, E. M. B. agar, and Gram’s Stain. Results were 
computed as the most probable number by the Hoskin’s Index. Results 
were charted both by stations and by months for study purposes. 
In judging the potential danger or freedom from danger, 10 E. coli 
per c.c. is used as a limiting standard for assured safety for recreational 
use of the surf water. This so-called ‘ ‘ standard ’ ’ was arbitrarily set by 
this bureau many years ago, in judging the performance of salt water 
outfalls along the California coast. 
Considerations arguing for this particular figure as a limiting stand- 
ard for safety are the following: First, the limit is about 500 times the 
pollution allowed by the United States Public Health Service in drinking 
waters, which is a standard that has been universally accepted by water 
and health experts for many years. Comparing relative ingestion of 
drinking water and possible ingestion of salt water in the course of bath- 
ing, of say 2 or 3 c.c. per swim, the two figures harmonize reasonably. 
Second, there was no well defined epidemiology to indicate that water 
within the standard had caused ill health. Therefore it reasonably pro- 
tected recreationists. Third, there was the fact that many natural 
streams and bodies of salt water soon reach that level of E. coli but reach 
lower levels much more slowly. Therefore the standard, even though 
arbitrary, should not operate in any important degree as confiscatory of 
recreation rights. Fourth, any less severe standard as applied to 
disposal of raw or screened sewage in salt water would often show 
“approved” areas to lie within visible sleek fields of sewage and hence 
judgment would probably appear to a layman as lacking in common 
sense and decency. 
Later, other states took up the subject of standards for recreation 
waters. New York City Health Department set its limiting standard for 
its salt water recreation at 30 E. coli per c.c. The State Department of 
Health in Connecticut bases judgment on one E. coli per c.c. under 
average conditions and allows 10 per c.c. as a maximum. A well recog- 
nized committee of the American Public Health Association and the 
Conference of State Sanitary Engineers, based on a correlation of E. coli 
findings and Sanitary Surveys, classes outdoor bathing waters containing 
over 10 E. coli per c.c. as ‘ ‘ Class D ’ ’ and unacceptable for recreation uses. 
In another field it is of interest to note that the standard allowed for safe SANTA MONICA BAY BEACHES 
37 
oyster growing beds in salt water is E. coli 0.5 per c.c. Since the tolerable 
contamination in Class D recreation waters is 20 times that allowed in 
waters over oyster beds, it should be evident that the standard set for 
recreation waters is not a severe one and on all counts is fair indeed. 
Because of occasional freak or anomalous results that are inevitable 
in the testing of water, sewage or other substances for E. coli, an excess 
above the standard 20 per cent of the time is arbitrarily allowed by us 
before deciding the length of beach that violates the standard. In this 
connection it may be noted that the Public Health Service allows devia- 
tion in excess of its drinking water standard on 5 per cent of the samples. 
It should be manifest that the mass of the evidence needs to be 
examined as a whole or by shorter periods to form judgment rather than 
to depend on only a few samples or observations. 
The results of the surf sampling have therefore been compiled for 
all the stations, month by month and the 12 sheets are here shown as 
Fig. 12 to 23, inclusive, to show the occurrence and amount of coliform 
bacilli and of grease deposits. Where the charts or text indicate “E. 
coli” the coliform group is implied, as defined in Standard Methods of 
American Public Health Association. 
Turning these pages one can not but be struck by the tendency of 
fields of pollution to switch hack and forth with the Hyperion Outfall as 
the fulcrum. For the months of April, May, June, and July the field 
of E. coli contamination in the surf centered northerly near Station 12 
or 13 in Venice and on frequent occasions its limitations in excess of 
10 E. coli per c.c. extended from Station 7 or 8 to Station 14 or even 15. 
For the winter and fall months, pollution centered on Station 9 or 10 
and frequently extended from Station 5 or 6 to Station 12 or 13. 
Sewage Grease. Sewage grease is not at all like oil or tar. In a 
sewage plant grease may be seen separating out as a gray metallic scum. 
In the case of the sewage disposal at Los Angeles, the material passes 
readily through the screens with only slight extraction along with the 
small amount of screenings removed and it issues from the submarine 
outfall or from leaks along it. It is estimated that fully Bto 10 tons a 
day of grease were discharged through this outfall. The grease readily 
congeals in the cold ocean water into gray, pebble or shell-like specks or 
in some instances into a froth. In any form grease is easily recognized 
by eye and by the greasy feel. In congealing, grease encases not only 
sewage organisms, which continue to live in it, but tends to form around 
small particles of feces. When particles are opened, the yellow fecal 
center can often be observed. Since grease floats readily on the surface 
of the bay, it is easily wind-blown and it is one of the most sensitive 
indices of travel of sewage pollution, in this instance. It may also be 
an index of danger to health because each particle, especially if still 
fresh, contains not only sewage organisms but may contain feces and 
pathogens. On the bodies of bathers, sewage grease is revolting and 
difficult to remove. Some people resort to a “gasoline bath” after a 
stay on the beach. 
There is no recognized yardstick by which to measure the grease on 
beaches such as these. We resorted to an equivalent grease band or 
sheet of grease. Grease is usually left deposited in wave rows of varying 38 
POLLUTION SURVEY 
Fig. 12. E. Coli and Grease Band by Stations for JANUARY 1942. SANTA MONICA BAY BEACHES 
39 
Pig. 13. B. coli and Grease Band by Stations for FEBRUARY 1942. 40 
POLLUTION SURVEY 
Fro. 14. E. coli and Grease Band by Stations for MARCH 1942. SANTA MONICA BAY BEACHES 
41 
Fig. 15. E. coli and Grease Band by Stations for APRIL 1942. 42 
POLLUTION SURVEY 
Fig. 16. E. coli and Grease Band by Stations for MAY 1942. SANTA MONICA BAY BEACHES 
43 
Fig. 17. E. coli and Grease Band by Stations for JUNE 1942. 44 
POLLUTION SURVEY 
Fig. 18. B. coli and Grease Band by Stations for JULY 1942. SANTA MONICA BAY BEACHES 
45 
Fig. 19. E. coli and Grease Band by Stations for AUGUST 1942. 46 
POLLUTION SURVEY 
Pig. 20. E. coli and Grease Band toy Stations for SEPTEMBER 1942. SANTA MONICA BAY BEACHES 
47 
Fig. 21. F. coli and Grease Band by Stations for OCTOBER 1942. 48 
POLLUTION SURVEY 
Fig. 22. E. coli and Grease Band by Stations for NOVEMBER 1942. SANTA MONICA BAY BEACHES 
49 
Fig. 23. E. coli and Grease Band by Stations for DECEMBER 1942. 50 
POLLUTION SURVEY 
thickness and width by the receding waves. Fig. 24 shows a heavy 
deposit of almost frothy grease on El Segundo Beach and in the upper 
half of the picture may be seen the more common and a lighter wave row 
of it. The photograph in Pig. 25 near Manhattan Beach also shows 
typical grease bands and in them a little child at play. For the purpose 
of a numerical expression each wave row was visualized or estimated as 
the width it would assume if brushed thin into a band of approximately 
the thickness of the grease grains. These average about thickness and 
will vary from, say, -jV" at the distant stations to to near the Outfall. 
This equivalent grease band was recorded at each observation and its 
frequency of occurrence appears on the monthly charts, Pigs. 12 to 23, 
inclusive, along with the E. eoli content of the surf water. 
Fig. 24. On El Segundo Beach showing particularly 
heavy grease deposit and in the upper corner 
lighter wave row of grease. SANTA MONICA BAY BEACHES 
51 
Fig. 25. Near Manhattan Beach, showing typical grease wave rows with child 
playing in the grease. 
It is to be noted that though there are some fluctuations in the width 
of grease bands at a given station from one visit to the next, there is 
a much more definite pattern to the curve of distribution of grease up 
and down the coast than is the case with the E. coli values. Distinctly 
grease deposits ‘ ‘ peak ’ ’ at Hyperion and fall away each side of it. 
In fact it needs to be pointed out that all the substances that one can 
associate with a sewer are found here to point directly back to the Hype- 
rion Submarine Outfall, and when charted the graphs have the aspect 
of a mountain peak whose apex is the Hyperion Outfall. Each side the 
constituents fall off in a declining slope. These grease curves follow the 
same pattern perfectly. 
The peak of grease band pollution remained at Station 9 throughout 
the investigation and the deposits showed a tendency to flatten out up 
and down the coast seasonally. 
But the shifts do not necessarily correspond with the shifts of pollu- 
tion by E. coli. Quite uniformly throughout the year, grease in excess 
of so conspicuous a grease band as 3 inches wide occurred at Station 5 
and occasionally at Station 4. In the northerly direction, the limit com- 
monly reached Station 14 and varied from Stations 12 to 16. For three 
of the winter months, the center of gravity of the grease deposits seemed 
to swing southerly. For the spring and summer months the shift tended 
northerly. 
The frequency with which E. coli was 10 per c.c. or higher and also 
the frequency with which grease bands of different widths occurred 
throughout the whole period of the investigation, is shown in graph form 
on Fig. 26. It is to be noted that if one accepts the proposition that 
when 20 per cent of the time E. coli is 10 per c.c. or higher, the beach is 
not safe for healthful recreation, then the width of grease bands that 52 
POLLUTION SURVEY 
Number Of Occasions In 1942. 
Number Of Occasions In 1942 
Pig. 26. Comparison of Grease Band and E. coli in Surf Water 10 per c. c. or Higher 
Based on Approximately 75 Observations for Grease and 44 Samplings of 
Surf Water for E. coli at Each Station. SANTA MONICA BAY BEACHES 
53 
most nearly corresponds with that standard is one approximately 6 inches 
wide. Such a deposit of grease is readily recognized. In fact, grease 
equal to a 3-inch band is easily noticeable. 
Other Sewage Debris. Various other forms of sewage issue from 
the submarine outfall at Hyperion. These include matches and feces 
and various other constituents such as pieces of soap, rubber goods, and 
bad smells of sewage in the water and discolored water. The debris is 
pictured in Fig. 27. 
Fig. 27. Showing matches, feces and pellets of grease and bits of soap on beach. 
The frequency of occurrence of various miscellaneous forms of 
sewage debris are also shown graphically by stations on Fig. 28. The 
study of both Fig. 26 and 28 points unmistakably to the Hyperion Outfall 
as the seat of all that is suggestive of sewage on the Santa Monica Bay 
beaches, and all the constituents ultimately declined to negligible amounts 
on receding from the Outfall, and within fairly narrow limits of agree- 
ment. 
Probably because the screens were in good condition in 1942 and 
there was a minimum of bypassing that year, the distribution of feces 
fell inside the spread of grease. Rubber goods quite closely simulated 
the critical grease band in distribution. Matches and traces of light 
grease traveled the farthest and circumscribed the polluted zone. It 
might be thought that matches came from local sources but the fact that 
the frequency of occurrence follows the same law of diminution as one 
leaves the Outfall, must prove that the Outfall is the predominant source 
rather than the beach recreationists themselves. 
The loss of cleanliness of the water also appears to have been a good 
index of sewage pollution. Surf water began losing its cleanliness at 
Station 3 and did not show frequent indications of complete recovery 54 
POLLUTION SURVEY 
Number Of Occasions When Constituents Observed 
Number Of Occasions When Constituents Obsen/ed 
Fig. 28. Comparison of Incidence of Various Forms of Sewage Debris, SANTA MONICA BAY BEACHES 
55 
Number Of Occasions When Constituents Observed 
Number Of Occasions When Constituents Observed 
Fig. 29. Comparison of Incidence of Various Forms of Nonsewage Debris Based on 
Approximately 75 Observations at Each Station. 56 
POLLUTION SURVEY 
until somewhere beyond Station 14. Even sewage odors in the surf 
extended occasionally from Station 4 or 5 to Station 17. 
The distance reached by the various constituents of sewage travel- 
ing northward reached as far as Station 17, depending on the constituent, 
and on the south to Station 14 or somewhat beyond. Between Station 5 
and Station 13 or 14, all the evidence was closely corroborative of sewage 
pollution and certainly between Station 5 and Station 13 pollution was 
of such frequency that decency and protection of health calls for exclu- 
sion of human beings from this area. 
Nonsewage Debris. It was thought that possibly some constit- 
uents, such as oil, which might originate at the Standard Oil Pier at El 
Segundo, or tar which might originate from the tar seeps seaward from 
Redondo Beach, might throw light on the traArel of the currents on this 
coast and along with these observations the Ararious other nonsewage 
debris was observed and recorded with the same care as Avas the seAvage 
litter. This information is also summarized in chart form on Fig. 29. 
Outside of a slight peak in the frequency of oil in the vicinity of 
Station 9 and of harbor debris at Stations 3 to 9 and occasional peaks in 
lunch debris at the popular beaches, this chart shows no trends at all or 
“peaks” that relate to Hyperion Outfall, such as Avas observed with the 
sewage debris. The fact that tar Avas most strongly found in summer on 
the northerly beaches might signify a northerly current or it might 
merely be the result of Avinds. 
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF STATIONS AND 
STATION RESULTS 
Station 1. This is the most southerly station and is located at the 
northerly end of Malaga Cove in the Palos Verdes Hills approximately 
3,500 feet southerly from the Torrance city limits. The station is reached 
off of Via Chino in Palos Verdes and joins on the south the old J. J. 
Haggerty Estate, which overlooks Malaga Cove. There is only sparse 
building here, though the country is subdivided. This is a very rocky 
beach at the foot of a quite inaccessible 50-foot high cliff. High tides 
reach the base of the cliff. The boulder-strewn shore is little used, but 
it was thought that if sewage tended to drift southerly it might collect 
here. Actually, the station has been negative for all forms of sewage 
pollution or litter, such as sewage grease, rubber goods, matches, soap, 
E. coli, or sewage odor, throughout the study. Of nonsewage debris only 
seaweed could be seen on most visits. Lunch papers and refuse were seen 
13 times out of 73 visits, and tar, 20 times, both from April on. Other 
nonsewage and harbor debris occurred but seldom. 
Station 2. This station is 1.55 miles northerly from Station 1 and 
is in Torrance close to the Redondo Beach city limits. It lies at the 
northerly end of Malaga Cove. Primarily, the station was chosen to 
pursue further the question of the tendency of the cove to funnel the 
southerly drift of pollution into it. Hollywood Riviera Clubhouse is 
located just south of the station. Otherwise, this too is a sparsely settled 
subdivision on a flat mesa above a high bluff which borders the sandy 
beach. The beach was not maintained in 1942 and considerable miscel- 
laneous sea litter gathered. SANTA MONICA BAY BEACHES 
57 
The water here appeared clean 63 times out of 73 visits. Twice there 
was a slight oily smell in the surf but never a smell of sewage. Of non- 
sewage debris, marine life was nearly always present. Except for degree, 
this is true of all the stations under observation and the comment will 
not be repeated. Storm debris was observed on 20 occasions during the 
first half of the year and none later. Harbor debris was especially con- 
spicuous at this station as well as at Station 3, probably because of a 
wrecked ship here. Garbage was observed on four occasions and lunch 
papers and debris on 41 occasions. Tar had also increased in frequency 
here, being observed 57 times. Oil was noticed only twice. 
E. coli exceeded 10 per c.c. only once. A trace of grease was observed 
24 times but only once was it readily conspicuous. In the other con- 
stituents suggestive of sewage, matches alone were observed, but this was 
a frequent occurrence, numbering 17 instances during the year and 
extending over six rather scattered months. 
Station 3. This station is 1.45 miles northerly from Station 2, and 
is at Ainsworth Court and a city park in Redondo Beach. It is a narrow, 
sandy beach and two blocks south of Monstad Pier. A promenade follows 
along the edge of the beach. 
In the nonsewage debris, the chief changes were in a slight increase 
in lunch litter and tar. 
The water appeared clean on nearly all occasions but two of the con- 
stituents recognized as of sewage origin became more noticeable—matches 
and rubber goods. A small increase in frequency of traces of sewage 
grease occurred here, mostly in February and March. Twice in the fall 
of the year E. coli exceeded the 10 per c.c. limit. 
Station 4. Station 4is 0.7 mile north of Station 3 and is at the foot 
of Beryl Street in Redondo Beach. This is a rather flat beach extending 
approximately 120 feet from the promenade sidewalk. Though sandy, 
considerable erosion occurs revealing moonstones, from which this is 
known as “Moonstone Beach.” Hunters gather them nearly every day 
in winter and spring. This station is opposite to and inside of the 
Redondo Beach Harbor jetty. On the outside of the jetty, sewage grease 
tended to gather but it evidently did not penetrate the jetty. 
In the nonsewage litter harbor debris and garbage were conspicuously 
lacking at this station. Lunch debris remained as at Station 3, but tar 
decreased in frequency from 67 instances at Station 3 to 47 at this one. 
Frequently the water was dirty the early part of the year. 
The water here began to show loss of normal cleanliness. For the 
year, matches were 30 per cent more frequent than at Station 3. E. coli 
exceeded 10 per c.c. only once and sewage grease remained practically as 
at Station 3. 
Station 5. This station is 1.3 miles northerly from Station 4 and 
is at the foot of 14th Street in Hermosa Beach. Hermosa Biltmore Hotel 
is just north of it. The beach here is broad and sandy with a promenade 
running along it. This is a most popular beach. In the nonsewage debris, 
garbage was noted occasionally in the spring months, lunch debris and 
tar were present nearly all the time. Most significant was the appearance 
of oil. On five occasions out of 77, the surf smelled oily and on eight 
occasions oil could be seen on the beach here. 58 
POLLUTION SURVEY 
Debris suggestive of sewage began to become noticeable here. Feces, 
for the first time in order of stationing, was observed here, occurring 15 
times out of 77 visits, mostly in the fall months. Rubber goods increased 
markedly and was observed 31 times, with some tendency to be most 
common in the fall months. Matches increased markedly and were 
observed on 59 occasions. Pieces of undissolved soap first began to be 
noticed at this station. The water became obviously less clean and was 
classed as dirty nearly half the time. Sewage grease became much more 
noticeable here and was at least five times greater and twice as frequent 
as at Station 4. One-third of the time the width of grease band was in 
excess of three inches. Mainly this condition existed in the fall months, 
when it appeared that grease and sewage were buffeted about, first by a 
northeast and later by an on-shore wind. 
This is the first station so far discussed to have showm a distinct rise 
in the frequency of serious contamination of surf by E. coli. On 12 occa- 
sions out of 45 samplings, E. coli rose markedly above ]0 per c.c. It will be 
recalled that the beach quarantine imposed by the State Board of Public 
Health on April 3, 1943, begins here and extends northerly to Station 14 
at Brooks Avenue, in Venice. 
Station 6. Station 6is 1.05 miles northerly from Station 5, and is 
at the boundary line between Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach. 
This is the north end of a promenade entered off of 35th Street. It is 
a broad beach and has been a popular one. 
Taking the observations as a whole, nonsewage litter was only 
slightly more frequent than at Station 5. The litter suggestive of sewage, 
including feces, rubber goods, soap, matches, and impairment of clarity 
of water, and sewage odor in the surf, all increased here and occurred 
more frequently than at Station 5. Grease deposits on the beach showed 
perhaps a 30 per cent increase over Station 5, and Avere most pronounced 
in the spring and fall. The least grease occurred in the summer months. 
The frequency of E. coli findings in excess of 10 per c.c. were substantially 
the same as at Station 5, aggregating 10 of the sampling periods through- 
out the study. 
Station 7. Station 7is 1.04 miles north of Station 6 and is at the 
foot of Marine Avenue in Manhattan Beach. This is a beach which, 
toward the end of 1942, was operated by the State Park Department. Its 
promenade extends each way from the station. This, too, is quite a 
popular beach, used nearly every day. 
There was quite an increase in the frequency of oil on this beach, 
but in other respects, nonsewage debris showed little change over Sta- 
tion 6. Oil was observed on 20 occasions out of 57 visits, without regard 
to seasons. 
All of the constituents indicative of sewage continued to increase 
consistently and the water continued to become more dirty and suggestive 
of sewage. For example, feces was observed 34 times in nine months of 
the year. In several of the winter months it was present on every visit. 
The water commonly had the smell of sewage in it. Rubber goods were 
found on the beach over half the time. In several of the winter and even 
in the summer months, they were found on every visit. It may be said 
that there was nearly twice as much grease on this beach as at Station 6. SANTA MONICA BAY BEACHES 
59 
E. coli greatly exceeded the limiting standard of 10 per c.c. on 22 out of 
44 samplings, the highest values being in the late spring and fall months. 
In several of those months, every sample had in excess of 10 E. coli per c.c. 
Station 8. This station is at the El Porto county beach and near 
the lifeguard and comfort station on the strand. It is 1.05 miles north of 
Station 7. Samples were taken at the foot of 42nd Street in Manhattan 
Beach. A promenade ends at the El Segundo city limits three blocks 
north. The beach is broad and sandy and moderate crowds use this 
beach in spite of the evident deposit of sewage and filth on it. 
Presence of oil on the beach reached its height at this station, aggre- 
gating 34 occasions out of 76 visits. Oil was found in all months except 
February. 
Sewage pollution was obvious. The water was decidedly unclean 65 
times out of 76 visits. Match deposits were common but the frequency 
showed a tendency to level off at this station. All other sewage constitu- 
ents continued to increase over Station 7. Feces was present half the 
time in practically every month of the year, but with the least frequency 
in the summer months. Wide grease bands were present all the time, and 
roughly speaking, there was twice as much grease on this beach as there 
was at Station 7. In only 11 out of 44 samplings was the water below 10 
E. coli per c.c., and most of the time E. coli was in excess of 100 per c.c. 
Station 9. This station is at the beach where Hyperion Outfall 
takes off, one-half mile north of the Standard Oil pier. It is 1.5 miles 
north of Station 8. The beach is owned for about a half mile on either 
side by the City of Los Angeles, and was acquired years ago in connection 
with the establishment of the Hyperion Outfall. The beach has been 
notoriously filthy for years, and efforts have been made to warn people 
to stay off. When our investigations began, several old warning signs 
still remained for about a quarter of a mile each side of Hyperion Outfall. 
Later, during the year, the Army took over portions of this beach and 
excluded people from the area. Gradually, the length of the beach con- 
trolled by the Army was extended. In July, 1942, the Department of 
Public Works posted about 100 feet apart for over a mile, some very con- 
spicuous and effective signs to warn the people to keep off. Adjoining 
this posted area on the south is the Standard Oil pier, where the beach is 
posted by the City of El Segundo with “No Trespassing” signs. 
In the class of nonsewage debris, oil showed a decrease compared 
with Station 8, but garbage and material suggestive of harbor rubbish, 
vegetable crates, etc., increased markedly at this station and was observed 
42 times for garbage and 63 times for harbor debris, on 75 visits. Lunch 
litter dropped to a low point at this station and other nonsewage debris 
showed some reduction over Station 8. 
This station represents clearly the peak in incidence of sewer-borne 
constituents. The water was dirty all the time. Feces, rubber goods, 
matches and sewage odor in the surf were always present. The water was 
so obviously polluted with sewage that after one or two samplings for 
bacterial purposes which showed upwards of 500,000 E. coli per c.c., this 
station was discontinued for analytical purposes. Grease deposits were 
four or five times greater than at Station 8. 
As will be noted on Fig. 26 and 28 earlier in this report, Station 9 
represented the height of frequency of occurrence of all forms of sewage 60 
POLLUTION SURVEY 
debris and pollution. From this station northerly and southerly all the 
constituents without exception declined. Taken as a whole, the decline 
was substantially the same in both directions. 
Station 10. This station is at the foot of Century Blvd., about at 
the southern end of popular use of Playa del Bey Beach, and 1.5 miles 
north of Hyperion Outfall and Station 9. It is marked by the tine, large 
Playa del Bey lifeguard and comfort station. The beach here is broad 
and among the nearest to Los Angeles. Parking is easy on the Coast 
Highway adjacent to it and all in all this is a popular beach. A photo- 
graph of crowds on this beach on a day of moderate use was shown on 
page 31. It is here the Los Angeles Becreation Department projected 
an aquatic park in 1933 and 1934. 
Outside of a decided increase in lunch litter on 58 occasions, the non- 
sewage debris fell off in most constituents compared with Station 9. 
Though sewage debris fell off, it was still high in all constituents. Feces 
were observed on 54 of the 75 visits and rubber goods and matches 65 and 
72 times, respectively. Grease in conspicuous amount greater than a 
3-inch band was present all the time and perhaps 10 per cent greater 
deposit than at Station 8 on the opposite side of Hyperion Outfall. 
E. coli was higher than 10 per c.c. 38 times out of 44 samplings. This 
was distinctly a filthy station, yet it has been a most popular beach. 
Station 11. This station is at Fowling Street, a block north of 
fashionable West Port Beach Club at Playa del Bey. It is 0.85 mile 
from Station 10. The beach is largely private and is fenced. 
Except that tar and marine life held up at the same levels as previ- 
ously, viz., 60 or more times out of 74 visits, other nonsewage debris 
dropped quite sharply here. 
Though sewage debris also dropped, all the constituents were still 
high. Out of 74 visits, feces was observed 45 times; grease as wide as a 
3-inch band, 70 times; rubber goods, 52; matches, 66 ; and surf water was 
unclean from sewage with similar frequency. However, the grease 
deposits fell off nearly 40 per cent over Station 10. 
Station 12. This station is six blocks north of Ballona Creek in 
the oil well district of Venice at 51st Street. It is one mile north of 
Station 11. Beach here is very broad but is lightly used. 
So far as nonsewage debris is concerned, this was the cleanest of the 
beaches. 
In sewage debris, it also showed an improvement over Station 11. 
On 74 visits, feces was observed 21 times; rubber goods, 38 ; matches, 65 ; 
and water was still unclean. Grease band reduction over Station 12 was 
about 50 per cent, but was in excess of a 3-inch band 60 times out of the 
74 visits. E. coli exceeded 10 per c.c., roughly half the time the surf 
was sampled. 
Station 13. This station is beyond the Venice oil wells at 26th 
Street in Venice, and is approaching the heart of popular beach recre- 
ation in Venice. In itself it is popular. Sunset Pier is two blocks north. 
It is 1.15 miles from Station 12. 
Nonsewage debris continued at a low level, similar to Station 12, and 
tar, though found 48 times out of 76 visits, began to drop noticeably. 
Lunch litter was noted 32 times, garbage 9 times, and oil 10 times. SANTA MONICA BAY BEACHES 
61 
Sewage debris also decreased over Station 12, e.g., feces, 21 times 
decreased to 4 times; rubber goods, 38 to 18; matches, 65 to 51. The 
grease deposits were not over half those at Station 12, but were con- 
spicuous on over 50 visits. E. coli in excess of 10 per c.c. were found in 
the surf 17 times out of 45 samplings. 
Station 14. This station is at Brooks Avenue in Venice in the 
heart of large beach apartments. The beach here is broad and popular. 
It is 0.75 mile from Station 13, and about seven short blocks south of 
Santa Monica city limits and Ocean Park pier. There are cooking places 
on the beach and much lunching. The beach is well maintained, and 
though most of the signs of nonsewage debris are low, lunch debris 
increased here to 59 times observed out of 75 visits. 
For the first time since leaving Station 4, feces was not found here 
but other signs of sewage persisted. E. coli was in excess of 10 per c.c. 
9 times out of 44 samplings, or over 20 per cent of the time. Roughly, 
12 per cent of the time an objectionable amount of grease prevailed in 
excess of a 3-inch equivalent width of deposit. Rubber goods were seen 
11 times, and matches, 48 times. 
Station 15. This station is at Bay Street in Santa Monica in the 
vicinity of old Crystal Pier, now abandoned, Del Mar Club and City 
Park. It is 1.33 miles from Station 14 in Venice. Shallow water reaches 
out fully 300 feet from the high tide line. This beach is popular, espe- 
cially with Negroes. There was a good deal of lunch litter. Storm 
debris also tended to gather. A 16-inch storm drain emptied here at 
high tide line and street drains also spilled onto this beach. 
In sewage debris, the station showed little overall tendency to 
improve over Station 14. Feces was noted only once. Grease deposits 
in excess of an equivalent grease band 3 inches wide occurred 10 times 
out of 75 observations—or once more than at Station 14. Rubber goods 
was noted 9 times against 7at Station 14. Frequency of E. coli in excess 
of 10 per c.c. was 9 times out of 45 samples, which is substantially the 
same as for Station 14. It is recommended that this station and vicinity 
be studied further as to its sanitary condition. 
Station 16. This station is at the extension of Wilshire Blvd., 
and adjoins Variety Beach Club in Santa Monica Beach. It is 1.0 mile 
north of Station 15. Santa Monica Yacht Harbor is just south of here. 
Quite a large storm drain empties onto the beach but the beach is wide 
and seldom did its contents contact the surf during the investigation. 
Nonsewage litter tended to be more noticeable, especially storm 
debris, which remained on 50 occasions out of 74 visits. 
Sewage debris was less frequently observed than at Station 15. 
Feces was never found. Grease in significant amount but under a 3-inch 
band was observed 22 times out of 75 visits; rubber goods, 9 times; and 
matches, 28 times. 
E. coli was the lowest since leaving Station 4, with only 3 samplings 
out of 44, revealing E. coli in excess of 10 per c.c. These occasions were 
in August, September and October. There was no comparable finding 
of E. coli at Station 15, on these occasions, but on the same dates the 
E. coli count was also high at Station 17. 62 
POLLUTION SURVEY 
Station 17. This is the most northerly station in this study. It 
is 1.26 miles north of Station 16 and 300 feet south of the mouth of Santa 
Monica Canyon, where the creek empties across Santa Monica State 
Park Beach. The canyon runs water all year. A single test in June, 
1942, indicated that the creek was not clean, according to tests for E. coli. 
The count was 24 per c.c. The beach and even the bay formed by the 
canyon water are most popular. 
In nonsewage debris the beach was comparable to those at adjacent 
stations. 
Sewage debris in all forms reached what appears to be a stationary 
low here, but with none of the constituents entirely lacking, as was the 
case at Station 1. For example, Station 17 revealed a trace or more of 
grease 38 times out of 74 visits, and on 16 occasions the grease band was 
up to 3 inches wide. Rubber goods were observed 6 times, and matches, 
26 times. E. coli in excess of 10 per c.c. showed a rise to 9 occasions out 
of 43 samplings. The explanation of this rise, however, is more likely 
E. coli from animal manure brought down the canyon from corrals of 
two clubs and several private corrals that border the creek or its branches. 
COMPLAINTS 
The files of the Bureau of Sanitary Engineering contain reams of 
complaints against this Hyperion sewage disposal. These have gone on 
almost incessantly for 40 years. Selecting one of these letters of com- 
plaint from the many, it tells in the language of another who is obviously 
fair and dispassionate how these conditions strike the layman. 
“Venice, California 
March 18, 1940 
State Department of Public Health 
Bureau of Sanitary Engineering 
703 State Building 
Los Angeles, California 
Dear Sirs: 
“As a resident of the State of California for the past nine years, a taxpayer, 
a voter and a nature lover I wish to suggest that it might be advisable for the State 
Department of Public Health, and for any other person or persons, commissions or 
departments having any authority in the management of the physical affairs of the 
State, to give serious thought to the question as to whether or not it might be practical 
to make plans to dispose of the sewage of Los Angeles City, and the nineteen other 
communities now tributary to our sewerage system, in some other manner than by 
depositing it in the waters of Santa Monica Bay. 
“I have walked along the shore many times between Santa Monica and Man- 
hattan Beach and have often found disgusting conditions to exist due to the pollution 
of the water and the beach by sewage. Bad odors, grease (not oil) sticking to the 
soles of a person’s feet and fringes of sewage particles on the beach following the 
recession of each wave are among the disagreeable things noticed. I have at times 
seen unmistakable evidences of sewage pollution north of Venice, at a distance of four 
or five miles from the sewer outlet, and similar evidences of pollution are at times in 
evidence at an equal distance to the south of the sewer outlet. 
“As for the immediate vicinity of the submarine outfall sewer, there is a strip 
of beach two miles or so in length which, so far as the topography of the region is con- 
cerned, seems to be excellent for bathing purposes and which, if clean, might be of 
great value to the citizens of the entire Los Angeles area for recreational purposes. 
But, due to sewage disposal, it is a veritable ‘no man’s land’ of stench and corruption, 
entirely unfit for bathing or picnicking, and hardly decent to even walk on. It may 
help matters somewhat to have the sewage put through a screen so that it doesn’t 
wash up on the shore in chunks, but it is there in the water just the same. SANTA MONICA BAY BEACHES 
63 
“If there were no other way of disposing of the sewage of this great city and its 
environs than that of dumping it into the waters in which its citizens bathe by the 
millions, I, for one, would cheerfully make the best of it, although it would still seem 
unethical for one community to dump its sewage onto another community. But lam 
told that now-a-days there are entirely practicable methods of disposing of sewage 
without creating any such nuisance as that which I have described. lam not suffi- 
ciently informed on the subject to be able to state positively that this is so. But if it 
can be done, I sincerely hope that those in authority will make plans to proceed in that 
direction in the future disposal of the sewage of the Los Angeles area, not only in the 
interests of health and decency, but also in the interest of property values along the 
beach and the value of the beach itself, Los Angeles’ greatest recreational asset. 
“I understand that, according to the standards set up by the State Health Com- 
mission, as many as from about 24% to 32% of the tests made of the sea water by the 
authorities, over a period of 3£ years (from Jan. 1, 1936 to April 24, 1939) showed 
sufficient pathogenic bacteria present in the water on the days the tests were made to 
make bathing unsafe to health, even as far north of the submarine outfall as Avenue 43 
in Venice and as far south of the submarine outfall sewer as 27th Street in Manhattan 
—a total span of approximately six miles. As a general thing, the nearer the testing 
points were to the sewer outlet the greater was the percentage of unsafe bathing times. 
At points about f of a mile on either side of the submarine outfall, as an average, only 
from about 40% to about 60% of the tests showed safe bathing conditions from the 
standpoint of health on the days the tests were made. As the drift of the sewage 
changes from time to time the average person has no way of determining, except by 
observation, when the water is in a sanitary condition for bathing at any given point, 
and observation may not be a very reliable guide. At any rate the average beach 
patron is either uninformed of, or gives little thought to, the fact that there is an 
admixture of sewage in the water in which he is bathing, and is totally unaware that 
he may be endangering his health. 
“Aside from this menace to health, I do not like the idea, when I go in bathing, 
of getting my hair, eyes, ears, nose and mouth full of the diluted sewage of over a 
million and a half people, and of needing a very thorough bath afterward for the sake 
of cleanliness. 
“Respect, yours,” 
(NAME WITHHELD) 
SPECIAL BACTERIOLOGICAL STUDIES 
Salt Water Forms of E. coli. Occasionally, early in the work 
atypical strains of the E. coli members of the eoliform group were noted 
in the course of culturing. During the first month detailed microscopic 
study was made of these different types of colonies as obtained on the 
Eosine Methylene Blue (E.M.8.), plates. Both confirm as typical E. coli 
in the standard completed test for that organism but both are easily dis- 
tinguished even in the routine test for E. coli. 
One strain forms very minute pin-point colonies, and a distinct 
metallic sheen on E.M.B. agar. Repeated transplantation of this organ- 
ism failed to cause production of any larger type colonies. 
The other strain forms relatively large colonies which are of a 
brownish brick color. They are not moist or mucoid, as is B. aerogenes. 
Only a faint metallic sheen is produced. 
These strains may be found far out at sea in unpolluted sea water. 
We ran a number of samples of relatively unpolluted sea water from 
Santa Monica Bay in 10 c.c. amounts for these strains. The cultures were 
frequently completely negative and only occasionally were these two 
organisms found. It was concluded that their presence in sea water was 
not an index of sewage pollution. They were occasionally observed in the 
course of our routine testing of surf water but were omitted from the 
results as not indicative of sewage pollution. 64 
POLLUTION SURVEY 
Overgrowths. It was found in streaking the lactose broth cultures 
of sea water in which acid and gas had formed, that there was usually a 
very heavy overgrowth of other organisms which frequently obscured or 
somewhat camouflaged scattered E. coli colonies. The cultures that were 
run at greatest dilution of sample gave the most distinct E. coli colonies. 
As a routine matter the greatest dilution in these tests was .01 c.c. Hence 
there is a possibility that the stations showing the highest contamination 
would have shown still higher frequency of E. coli, rather than less if 
higher dilutions could have been run. Very few streptococci were ever 
found. 
The persistent spore-former, Clostridium Welchii, was found to be 
extremely common in the more polluted surf. In the laboratory the 
organism revealed itself in several ways. When the lactose broth cultures 
were allowed to remain in the incubator longer than 48 hours, renewal of 
or increased gas production occurred in nearly all those tubes which had 
been positive for E. coli according to the confirmation tests made when 
gas appeared earlier in the tubes. In such tubes the Andrade’s Indicator 
which had been red from the formation of acid turned yellow. There was 
also a definite butyric odor. From cultures transplanted to hot deep 
agar typical Clostridium Welchii cultures were identified. 
Density of E. coli at Outfall and Adjacent Stations. Since routine 
tests for E. coli in the surf at Station 9, the outfall station, were aban- 
doned early in the work, a number of tests were made to determine the 
maximum density of E. coli in the surf at the outfall and at stations a 
mile and a half each side. Five cultures were made in the surf imme- 
diately at Hyperion Outfall. All five samples contained E. coli in 
cultures that were made from dilutions of from 1:100,000 to 1:1,000,000 
c.c. showing approximate density of close to 500,000 E. coli per c.c. The 
surf was cultured in similarly high dilutions at Stations 8 and 10, which 
are 1.5 miles each side of the outfall. Greatest density of E. coli found 
at these stations was 2,000 per c.c. One thousand E. coli per c.c. were 
found at Station 11, 2.25 miles north of the outfall. 
E. coli Survival Tests. Following the comparison of the results of 
cultures made in the State Laboratory in Berkeley, with those made in 
the University of California Laboratory at Los Angeles, the time element 
in culturing sea water samples was investigated to ascertain the relia- 
bility of E. coli findings in surf water corresponding to variations in 
transit conditions and time in transit of samples. In April and May, 
1942, four weekly sets of samples were tubed into lactose broth imme- 
diately when taken at beach side. These sample bottles themselves were 
then kept at normal temperature and cultured in the University labora- 
tory at the end of the trip. The time that elapsed between culturing the 
sample at beach side and again at the laboratory ranged from 1.5 to 7 
hours, depending on whether the sample was the one taken at the start 
of the trip or at the end. It was found that there was a slight drop in 
the density of coliform bacteria in those samples which were cultured 
after more than four hours of storage at normal temperatures. 
Dr. Claude Zoßell, Associate Professor of Bacteriology at Scripps 
Oceanographic Institute at La Jolla, has reported on a study of the 
bacteriocidal properties of sea water on fresh Avater bacteria in Proceed- 
ings of the Society of Experimental Biology and Medicine, Yob 34, page SANTA MONICA BAT BEACHES 
65 
113, 1936. He showed that when cultures of E. coli were suspended in 
semipermeable porous porcelain tubes in sea water, there was very little 
decrease during the first hour, but a 93.6 per cent decrease in two hours. 
He also found that autoclaved sea water was considerably less bacterio- 
cidal than natural sea water. Berkefeld filtered sea water was somewhat 
less bacteriocidal than natural sea water but more bacteriocidal than auto- 
claved sea water. He also found that sto 10 per cent of autoclaved 
sea water apparently favored the growth of E. coli. This organism sur- 
vived better in cultures containing from 3 per cent to even 6 per cent 
sodium chloride solution than in natural sea water, but its growth in 
autoclaved sea water was much superior to that in the 3 per cent sodium 
chloride solution. There appears to be a thermolabile germicidal substance 
in the sea water. The addition of organic matter was found to reduce the 
bacteriocidal power of sea water. 
Our survival tests of E. coli, designed to simulate the conditions as 
normally created in analysis of water in public health laboratories, were 
not comparable to the scientifically measured and controlled work of Dr. 
Zoßell. In our procedure, a sample of polluted surf was collected and 
immediately inoculated into lactose broth at seaside in dilutions repre- 
senting 1, 6.1, 0.01, .005, .002, .001, .0005, .0002, and .0001 c.c. portions. 
Both the samples and the cultures were then taken to the laboratory where 
the samples were stored at room temperature, and reinoculated after 
storage periods of 4, 6, 8, 12,18, 24, and 48 hours, or some selection out of 
those intervals. 
A few samples in the survival tests were also divided in aliquot 
amounts after the initial inoculation into lactose broth had been made at 
beach side. One part was stored at room temperature and the other 
part was stored in the refrigerator for the desired storage interval. 
In summarizing the results, it seems that there is a marked decrease 
in the density of E. coli during the first 24 hours of storage of sample at 
room temperature. However, when the sample was kept on ice, there 
appeared to be little or no decrease in the number of E. coli until after 
about 12 hours of storage. The following figures denote the number of 
E. coli found in the cultures on samples stored after the indicated time. 
The figures represent the per cent of E. coli remaining, considering the 
number in unstored samples as 100 per cent. 
No. of Immediate Storage of Sample: 
Samples Temp. Culture 4-hr. 8-hr. 2Jf-hr. 
12 Room 100% 25 to 80% 10 to 25% 1.0 to 2.5% 
4 Iced 100% 100% 50 to 100% 5.0 to 20% 
Graphic charts of the results of these few survival tests give a loga- 
rithmic curve which is similar to the normal logarithmic curve of the 
death rate of bacteria in an unfavorable medium. 
E. coli in Grease Particles. Because it was evident that sewage 
grease on the beaches had congealed, either in the sewer or on reaching 
the cold sea water and therefore might contain sewage organisms, special 
studies were made of the bacteriology of the grease at various stations 
and positions on the beach as related to freshness of the particles. 
Some of the grease rows studied were those left high on the hot dry 
sands. Others were the freshly deposited wet material. Both kinds of 66 
POLLUTION SURVEY 
grease were sampled a total of 23 times from Station sto 15. Samples of 
grease with such sand as attached were scooped up by a sterile spatula 
and about 30 c.c. placed in a sterile bottle. 
In the laboratory each sample of polluted sand and grease was 
ground up and mixed with an equal volume of sterile water. The result- 
ing fluid was then cultured in the same manner and dilutions as were the 
regular surf samples. 
The samples of the damp material showed coliform count of 24 
per c.c. or higher and 50 per cent were in excess of 110 E. coli per c.c. 
The coliform counts obtained in the samples of dry polluted sand showed 
a wide variation, from zero to 24 coliform bacteria per c.c. The majority 
ran around 2.3 and 1.3 per c.c. The low values and wider range may be 
a measure of the bacteriocidal effect of time, sunlight and heat on grease 
deposits on the dry beaches. 
E. coli in Air. Because the spray along Coast Highway opposite 
Playa del Rey even smelled of sewage during on-shore storm winds, 
E. M. B. plates were exposed from the open window of a car at various 
places between Playa del Rey and Manhattan Beach under conditions 
conducive to the escape of sewage organisms from the surf into the air 
over the highway. All plates were exposed for 5 seconds and the plates 
incubated in the regular manner. Typical colonies were confirmed by 
inoculating into lactose broth for gas formation. 
The following colony counts were obtained on the plates: 
JPlace and Distances from Outfall E. coli B. aerogenes 
Waterview Ave.—2 miles north 228 128 
Fontainebleau Ave.—1 mile north 250 150 
Outfall 500 100 
1 mile south of outfall 15 4 
North limits Manhattan Beach 1 5 
Occasions as severe as this for high density of E. coli in the air are 
rare. Moreover, the portion of sewage organisms that might reach the 
intestines through the breathing of sewage-laden air is highly speculative. 
The most to be said now is that the idea of breathing sewage in the form 
of air is repulsive. The health hazard however may deserve more 
research. 
Isolation of Pathogenic Bacteria. Pathogenic bacteria were iso- 
lated by the investigator in November, 1942, from samples taken within 
200 to 300 feet of the Outfall, and the organisms identified as Paratyphoid 
A and B by agglutination with specific antisera to a titer of 1:640. 
Samples of both surf and beach material were collected and handled 
after the manner used in the tests for E. coli. The first sample, taken 
November 17, 1942, was found to contain Paratyphosum B in specific 
agglutination titer of 1:640. Prom the other sample, taken November 
24, 1942, both Paratyphosum A and B were isolated. A sample of pol- 
luted surf at Station 10 on December 22, 1942, contained Para B also 
with specific agglutination of 1:640. Two samples of pure sewage taken 
at the sewage plant were found to contain both Para A and Para B in 
numbers dense enough to be obtained by merely streaking several plati- 
num loopfuls of sample on the surface of bismuth sulphite agar. SANTA MONICA BAY BEACHES 
67 
In culturing, two flasks were prepared containing 100 e.c. each of 
Difco Tetrathionate broth. Into each flask was placed 10 c.c. of thor- 
oughly shaken sample of surf or sample. After incubation for 24 hours 
in this special nourishment medium, loopfuls were streaked onto plates 
of Difco bismuth sulphite or Salmonella Shiga agar. 
Characteristic colonies were picked from these plates and grown on 
nutrient agar slants. Colonies from pure cultures were run through 
the sugar fermentation tests. Those pure cultures showing the typical 
Paratyphoid fermentation reactions were then washed down with 0.2 
per cent formalin in saline preparatory to running the agglutination 
tests. 
Through the cooperation of Dr. T. D. Beckwith, Professor of Bac- 
teriology, and Dr. A. J. Salle, Assistant Professor of Bacteriology in the 
University of California at Los Angeles, a series of additional tests was 
made by two advanced students during the spring semester of 1943 under 
the observation of the investigator and the close supervision and direction 
of Dr. Salle. They cultured samples taken in a total of nine different 
weeks. The first three samples were discarded because of errors of 
technique. 
The results of these examinations are listed in the order of stations in 
Table 9, and show that out of 10 such cultures 6 reveal the presence of 
Paratyphoid A or B bacteria. 
The worth of additional study of the pathogen content of surf, grease 
and sand in Santa Monica Bay is strongly indicated from the frequency 
and titer with which the pathogenic organisms responded in the work we 
were able to do. 
TABLE 9. RESULTS OF EXAMINATION OF ALL SAMPLES OF SURF, 
SAND AND GREASE FOR TYPHOID GROUP 
Sample 
Station 
Date 
Typhoid group 
Titer 
E. 
Surf 
Doli per 
Damp 
sand 
D.C. 
Dry 
sand 
8 
3/29/43 
2.3 
110+ 
1.3 
Surf - 
8 
4/ 5/43 
Para A.. .. . 
1:300 
24.0 
24 
0.6 
Surf 
11/17/42 
1:640 
70.0 
110+ 
6.2 
Surf 
11/24/42 
Para A, B 
1:640 
10 
12/22/42 
1:640 
110+ 
110+ 
3.2 
13 
4/19/43 
Para B__ 
1:300 
1.3 
70 
6.2 
Surf - 
13 
4/26/43 
Negative 
0 
6.2 
0 
13 
4/26/43 
0 
6.2 
0 
13 
6/ 3/43 
Para B _ 
1:300 
1.3 
24.0 
0 
Surf “ 
15 
5/ 3/43 
Negative 
1.3 
24.0 
0 
DISEASE FROM BEACH POLLUTION 
During this investigation, though no particular effort to discover 
cases of disease which could reasonably have been contracted from this 
beach was made, one case came to our attention. This is the case of one 
of the lifeguards at El Porto Lifeguard Station between El Segundo and 
Manhattan Beach. On July 4, 1942, he was obliged to make a rescue in 
the surf off El Porto Beach, in the course of which he gulped several 
swallows of surf water. Two days later he noticed the first signs of 
illness. By July 10th, six days later, he was severely ill but did not see 68 
POLLUTION SURVEY 
a physician until July 13th. From the history and the clinical evidence, 
his physician made a presumptive diagnosis of a severe ease of paraty- 
phoid fever. On July 14th, the first and only agglutination test on serum 
from this patient was run and was positive in low titer for Paratyphoid A. 
and more strongly for Paratyphoid B. The agglutination test was nega- 
tive for typhoid. Unfortunately, the agglutination tests were not 
repeated for further confirmation and for the establishment of a rising 
titer, and hence a positive evidence of Paratyphoid A. or B. 
The man was incapacitated for a total of six weeks. Some time in 
November he submitted his case to the State Compensation Commission. 
We understand that the claim was disallowed for failure to submit sub- 
sequent and confirmatory agglutination tests. These were not made 
because the subject then entered the Navy. The history of this case is 
too strongly suggestive of the surf water as the cause of the infection to 
dismiss it lightly in weighing the safety of surf or beach recreation 
affected by the Hyperion Outfall. Other lifeguards have reported severe 
enteric disease that incapacitated them for days, after making rescues in 
polluted surf water. 
The literature is lacking in specific cases of the contraction of 
typhoid fever from bathing waters. The source of typhoid fever is fre- 
quently obscure—a fact that keeps typhoid fever a disease to be reckoned 
with constantly. The Quarterly Reports of the Health Department in 
New York City frequently have shown cases of typhoid fever in that city 
attributed to bathing in polluted waters. One such report before us for 
the Third Quarter of 1932 lists 51 cases contracted from bathing in pol- 
luted waters. The Second Quarterly Report for 1932 features the dis- 
cussion of typhoid fever from bathing in polluted waters and states 
“from all the data on hand it is very probable that most of the increase 
(in typhoid fever) may be charged to bathing in polluted harbor waters 
condemned by the Department of Health.” 
Still earlier in New York City there is record of a report by one of 
the well known sanitarians of the time, Dr. Daniel D. Jackson, made to the 
Merchants Association in New York on the general subject of the pollu- 
tion of public waters. He found that the incidence of typhoid fever was 
much greater in the city blocks bordering the waterfronts. He also found 
that the fly population was also increased in this area at the same season 
and his inspections showed large areas of fecal pollution on the tide 
flats, from Avhich he concluded that the flies could infect human beings for 
some distance back from the waterfront. 
Public Health News, of New York State Department of Health, 
Volume 12, No. 3, pages 402 and 403, has a short editorial on coastal 
pollution which is quoted here in conclusion of this report. 
“The use of the (sewage) receiving waters should receive first consideration 
because of its direct bearing upon the health of its users. Certainly it is an undisputed 
fact that disease can be transmitted by polluted waters. The literature is voluminous 
with reference to epidemics of typhoid caused by the pollution of natural waters with 
sewage, and the matter has been so thoroughly investigated and demonstrated that 
there is no longer any doubt in the minds of the sanitarians concerning the causation of 
this disease. From our examination of other records, it also was noted that there is a 
well-formed opinion among sanitarians and medical experts that diseases other than 
typhoid may be contracted by coming in contact with polluted waters. These diseases, 
in general, are not of the type that are as important to the individual as typhoid, 
inasmuch as the person’s life may not be endangered by them. The group as a whole, 
however, is an important item in injuring the health of the persons infected and causing SANTA MONICA BAY BEACHES 
69 
a consequent loss due to lost time and medical treatment. We believe that in the 
aggregate this loss at the present time may be a greater one, financially, than that of 
typhoid fever, although its significance has long remained hidden. 
“Among those infections which, with the opening of the artificial bathing places, 
are becoming more severe, may be mentioned conjunctivitis, infections of the nasal 
passages, otitis, tonsilitis, rhinitis, sinusitis, sore throat, furuncles, laryngitis, diph- 
theria, dysentery and ringworm. Information with reference to these epidemics, in 
general, is suppressed, due to the fact that they often occur in sections which are 
devoted to recreation. It is for this reason, together with the fact that most of these 
diseases are not reportable, that the literature of this country is not more complete, 
as remedies have been sought and installed in order to prevent any possible condem- 
nation of the questionable waters.” 
25013 7-43 5M