What readers need to know

Monterey County Environmental Health has placed Lovers Point and Spanish Bay under beach water-quality advisories after bacteria levels exceeded health guidelines. The county advises the public not to have ocean-water contact at either beach until the advisories are lifted.

At Lovers Point, the county's August 18 sample reported enterococcus above 199 organisms per 100 milliliters, exceeding the single-sample criterion of 104. The county page does not identify the contamination source. Environmental Health says advisory signs warn of a possible risk of illness associated with water contact; a posting is not the same as a permanent beach closure.

The county listed all other monitored beaches open without restriction when it updated the official results page on August 20 at 2:55 p.m. Conditions can change after retesting, so swimmers, paddlers and families should check the linked county table before entering the water and follow posted signs at the beach.