Photo: Tom Prete / Ocean Beach Bulletin

UPDATE 10:40 a.m. Oct. 18: Ocean Beach near Sloat Boulevard has been cleared for water contact again, after tests showed bacteria levels have fallen within officially acceptable limits.

“Bacteria levels from yesterday’s samples were very low,” the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission stated in an email Thursday morning.

Signs warning against swimming and other contact with the water will be removed, according to the SFPUC.

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Officials warned Wednesday that elevated bacteria counts have made contact with the water unsafe at part of Ocean Beach.

The area near Sloat Boulevard was posted with signs warning against contact with the water, following a test Tuesday that showed increased bacteria levels, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission announced in an email. The SFPUC plans to test the water again, and will remove the signs when bacterial levels fall within approved limits.

Warnings also have been posted at the west end of Baker Beach because of high levels of bacteria there.

The SFPUC maintains a website with updated information about water quality, as well as a water-quality hotline: 1-877-732-3224.