Yum.

The water at Santa Monica beaches is filled with fecal bacteria, according to a new study. L.A. County beaches have the highest level of fecal bacteria in the state, and Santa Monica has some of the highest levels in the county, according to the study. The part of the beach by the pier exceeds state standards by 52 percent. Other Santa Monica beaches range from 4 percent (by Strand Street) up to 39 percent (Santa Monica Canyon).

From the L.A. Times:

Samples were taken from nearly three-quarters of California's public beaches from April through October 2007. Monitors collected most samples from ankle-deep water at least once a week at sites near storm drains or other contamination sources. Across California, these contained unhealthful levels of enterococcus, total coliform and fecal coliform bacteria -- found in human and animal waste -- 7% of the time, down from 12% the previous year.

Just thought you should know.