Seasonal rain advisory issued as rain approaches Santa Barbara County

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The Santa Barbara Environmental Health Services issued a rain advisory ahead of first rainfall in six months in Santa Barbara County Tuesday.

The advisory aims to remind everyone about health issues associated with storm water runoff. Storm water is untreated water that flows through the drain system into creeks, the ocean, and other waterways. Contact with this water can increase the risk of illness.

To reduce the chance of health risks, it is recommended that you do not swim, play of surf in the ocean and creeks for at least three days after a rainfall. If you choose to swim during the rain of immediate following the rain, you should avoid areas near outfall from drainpipes and creeks that enter the ocean.

Santa Barbara County has put a variety of programs into action to help protect the public's health and improve environmental quality in the county's watersheds and beaches.

If you want to find out what is being done to improve water quality and how to help you can visit www.countyofsb.org