Among California's natural crown jewels is its 1,100-plus miles of coastline. In all but a few locations, the beauty is breathtaking, rivaling the views anywhere on Earth.

But once you get past the view, there are problems - and in some cases, the problem is not so easy to spot.

Researchers at UC Irvine released a report this week showing the cost to treat illnesses and medical problems caused by swimming in contaminated water. The study pulled data from other studies, then factored in what a trip to the doctor costs, coming up with a per-illness cost.

The illnesses, of course, occur as a result of bacteria from urban runoff, including a lot of human and animal waste, usually during the winter rainy season. Heavy rains wash whatever has accumulated on land down rivers, creeks and streams to the ocean. The pathogens collect near shore, and those who swim, surf or go into the water are often punished by stomach distress, earaches, respiratory problems and flu-like illnesses.

Although only an estimated 1 percent of those using the ocean come down with these illnesses, the raw numbers are huge, and the cost is high, according to the Irvine study.

For example, treating a typical stomach ailment caused by water-borne bacteria costs an estimated $36.58 per patient. Eye infections cost an average of $27.31, ear problems $37.86, and acute respiratory disease nearly $77. Those numbers are based on the cost of an average doctor's visit in Orange County, which mirrors the cost of similar treatment in California's coastal regions.

The study looked at 5 million people who used the ocean in the areas surveyed from 1998 to 2000, and uncovered nearly 80,000 cases of illnesses caused by water-borne pathogens.

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Although the study focused on the ocean at Huntington Beach and Newport Beach, experts say the same results would be found at beaches of densely populated regions anywhere in the coastal United States. The only factor that might change with locale would be the cost of visiting a doctor to have your illness treated. And the study could not take into account the costs of self-treatment.

Thus, the Irvine study points up the negative impacts of urban runoff here in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, which results in local beaches being closed or warnings being posted several times a year on average.

This is a problem that deserves more attention from our elected leaders. If we continue to foul our nest, one of California's natural jewels may end up being too nasty and dangerous to enjoy.

May 5, 2005