LOS ANGELES, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- The public is being urged Saturday by an environmental advocacy organization to avoid the waters of the Los Angeles River in west U.S. this weekend due to alarmingly high levels of bacterial pollution.
The staff scientists of the nonprofit organization, Heal the Bay, collected weekly water quality samples at four sites in the Sepulveda Basin and Elysian Valley and said the bacteria levels are the highest they have ever seen since they began monitoring L.A. River sites in 2015, City News Service reported.
"The results have a special urgency this weekend, as the fourth annual L.A. Boat Race is scheduled to take place at the Glendale Narrows. Dozens of kayakers are expected for the boat pageant and parade," said Heal the Bay in an advisory to the public on its official website.
Every year thousands of people recreate in the L.A. River. Some areas of the L.A. River have become popular for kayaking, fishing and other recreational activities.
Samples taken on Sept. 6 in the Sepulveda Basin by the City of L.A. Sanitation Department showed very high levels of bacteria, well over accepted regulatory and health limits. The poor results are possibly related to runoff from recent thunderstorms and rains.
