Warning signs will stay up as E. Coli testing continues at Cowell Beach

UPDATE 7/27/15 2:45p.m.: According to the Santa Cruz County Water Resources division, more testing will be done Monday or Tuesday.

The Cowell Beach area has had warning signs for most of the summer and the department does not anticipate much change.

So far there are no reports of any illness and officials say it appears that the high bacteria levels are primarily from gulls and pigeons.

PREVIOUS STORY: There’s a warning for swimmers of unsafe levels of E. Coli at Cowell Beach in Santa Cruz, according to a release from the Santa Cruz county Environment Health Department.

The latest county water quality tests indicate the affected areas extend from west of the Santa Cruz Wharf to the east end of the Dream Inn.

There are signs posted at the beach advising people about the unsafe bacteria levels.

Cowell Beach has consistently ranked one of the dirtiest beaches in the West Coast.

All other beaches in the county met the standards for safe body contact, according to the release.