The lack of rain in California is actually making its beach water cleaner

(Image credit: Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

published 17 June 2015

California's record drought is showing no signs of slowing down. And while the state enters the summer months drier than ever, there's one silver lining on those nonexistent storm clouds: The lack of rainfall is making for cleaner water at the beach.

The Los Angeles Times reports that water quality along the Southern California coast improved last year, as found by environmental group Heal the Bay, because less runoff flowed to the coast due to the lack of rain. Runoff from storm drains is the leading cause of water pollution, the Times explains, as it is often contaminated with pesticides, waste, and other pollutants before it flows untreated to the coast.

Lest you think the drought is a surfer's paradise, "the resulting improved water quality should not provide a false sense of long-term beach water quality improvement," Heal the Bay's report states. The decreased runoff temporarily means less contaminated water makes it to the ocean, but Los Angeles County is still worst in the state when it comes to water quality.