If you live in California and you frequent the beach, you might want to read this

www.Esquire.com

Our beloved California beaches are at risk.

Health testing of California's beaches has slumped to its lowest level since ocean monitoring became a law more than a decade ago, putting swimmers, surfers and divers at greater risk of exposure to contaminated water, a Times investigation has found.

Those who swim in contaminated water are exposed to gastrointestinal viruses and to pathogens that can cause skin rashes and ear, eye and staph infections according to The Los Angeles Times. Ew! Swimmers are most likely to get sick in poor-circulating water near river mouths and sewer outfalls, especially after rain.

So, will the beach with the highest pollution please step forward? NOT SO FAST Santa Monica. Congrats Long Beach, you have some of the most polluted water in the state but before you start to feel like a neglected step-child, it's not your fault almost half of you isn't being tested for contamination.

As a whole, 40 percent of California beaches aren't being tested and the culprit is a familiar one: state and county budget cuts.

In 2008 Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed the $1 million the state had provided each year to test hundreds of beaches for bacteria according to The Los Angeles Times however, his office said beaches are still being tested at a 90 percent level despite the budget cuts.

Tourism officials have also expressed concern. They say the cost to monitor beaches is inconsequential compared with the estimated $12 billion in tourist-related revenue California beach towns generate each year according to The Los Angeles Times.

We have to spend money to make money. California beaches are a worth-while investment.