With the San Diego area getting over an inch of rain on Tuesday, authorities warned that urban runoff can make swimming unsafe, while drought rules require sprinklers to be turned off.
A total of 1.15 inches fell in downtown San Diego, exceeding the former Sept. 15 milestone of 0.12 of an inch, set in 1906. More rain is forecast through Wednesday.
With so much rain falling, the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health has issued a general advisory for the coastal waters of San Diego County. Levels of bacteria can rise significantly in ocean and bay waters, especially near storm drains, creeks, rivers, and lagoon outlets that discharge urban runoff.
“Activities such as swimming, surfing and diving should be avoided in all coastal waters for 72 hours following rain,” the department advised. “This includes all coastal beaches and all of Mission Bay and San Diego Bay.”
By state law during the California drought, it’s illegal to irrigate landscapes during measurable rainfall and for 48 hours afterward.
The San Diego County Water Authority says that a practical matter, irrigation systems can be left off for much longer after significant rainfall.
