Intestinal parasites found in Pismo Beach waters
April Charlton, Senior Staff Writer for the Santa Maria Times, had some bad news for California's central coast over the 4th of July weekend. She reported:
Intestinal parasites were found south of Pismo Pier and in the Cypress Street lagoon at the mouth of Pismo Creek, according to an ongoing water quality study by Pismo Beach.
Researchers have found both cryptosporidium and Giardia in samples recently taken from the lagoon and 40 feet south of Pismo Pier, said Cal Poly professor Christopher Kitts, who is heading up the study, along with other Cal Poly professors and students.
Pismo Beach is using a more than $660,000 state grant to fund the detailed study, which is a first-of-its-kind DNA tracking project that aims to identify the source of ocean pollution at the beach.
Ingesting either of the parasites - cryptosporidium or Giardia, which are also considered pathogens - can cause an otherwise healthy person to develop intestinal problems such as diarrhea.
All of the pathogens tested for in water samples taken since mid-May have been found, but, there's been no evidence so far of human contamination, Kitts said.
“That's pretty positive news,” he added.
As we remember it, the waters 40 feet south of Pismo Pier are deep and cold. Surfers there must know how to keep their mouths shut. Read the rest here.
Thank you