BRIEFLY IN THE NEWS

Paul Clinton

As a warning about potential contamination caused by urban runoff,

Orange County health officials are advising beachgoers to stay away from

the Newport Beach shoreline, possibly through the weekend.

The Orange County Health Agency installed the 72-hour advisory late

Monday after rainfall dumped about half an inch on the area.

With more rain expected Thursday, the advisory will probably stay in

effect until after the weekend. The agency institutes a three-day

advisory after any rainfall, agency spokesman Larry Honeybourne said.

Urban runoff, in the wake of a storm, can transport so-called

indicator bacteria into Newport Bay. The microorganisms are usually found

in animal, and sometimes human, waste.

The advisory isn’t a beach closure, only a warning, Honeybourne said.