Results received June 28, 2018 from a water quality test performed by the Ventura County Harbor Department last week revealed the water in the Channel Islands Harbor is safe for human contact, according to Director of Harbor Planning & Redevelopment, Marilyn Miller.

Miller said tests are conducted quarterly at the Harbor for readings on potential bacteria, heavy metals, and dissolved oxygen. All of the test results were within acceptable limits. Scheduled testing was moved up due to residents’ concerns with the conditions of waterways in the Mandalay and Seabridge communities in the City of Oxnard, north of the Channel Island Harbor. The City of Oxnard conducted bacteriological tests in Mandalay and Seabridge and also found the water to not be hazardous to human health.

“Water quality is extremely important to the businesses in the harbor, as well as residents and visitors. We have a large number of sailors, kayakers, paddle boarders and jet skiers, as well as children swimming at Kiddie Beach. The County of Ventura is working diligently to ensure that the harbor is safe for all users. We are very happy that the recent change in the color of the water was not caused by unsafe conditions,” Miller said.

Miller said samples were taken in the west and east channels, as well as in the main turning basin.

The County of Ventura owns and operates the Channel Islands south of the Harbor Boulevard bridges. Mandalay Bay, Seabridge and communities north of the bridges are within the jurisdiction of the City of Oxnard.

“The jurisdictional issues can be confusing to residents, but we want to assure everyone that we are working closely with the City to find out what is causing the brown color and to implement any solutions that are available,” Miller said.

Residents concerned are encouraged to report any unusual appearance or odor in the waterways north of Channel Islands Blvd. by calling the City of Oxnard Public Works at 805-797-7598. For concerns south of Channel Islands Blvd. in the Channel Islands Harbor, residents can call Ventura County Harbor Patrol at 805-973-5959.