Sewage Spill Sparks Closure Of Coastal Swimming Areas Off Long Beach

LONG BEACH, CA — All open coastal swimming areas off Long Beach were ordered closed temporarily after a sewage spill, officials said.

Long Beach City Health Officer Dr. Cliff Okada ordered the temporary closure of all open coastal swimming areas, including open coastal beaches and bay swimming areas and lagoons, following a sewage spill that may affect recreational water quality, a release from the City of Long Beach said.

State law requires temporary closure and posting at beaches in such situations, out of an abundance of caution, until the recreational water quality meets state requirements., officials said.

According to a report from the Long Beach Utilities Department, an estimated 29,000 gallons of sewage was discharged near Livingston Drive and 2nd Street beginning at about 6:30 p.m. on Friday, officials said.

The spill was associated with a force main break, a pressurized pipe to convey wastewater, officials said.

Long Beach Utilities has rerouted flow using a bypass line; the city’s contractor Ocean Blue was activated to assist with spill cleanup efforts, officials said.

Of the 29,000 gallon total spill volume, 15,000 gallons of sewage was recovered and 14,000 gallons was discharged to the ocean, officials said.

Utilities called in their emergency contractor to begin repairs on the force main break, officials said.

The City of Long Beach Health Department’s recreational water quality environmental health specialists are monitoring water quality in bay areas and coastal beaches, officials said.

Because rain was expected this weekend, water sampling will begin Monday, Nov. 2, and continue as needed until results comply with State recreational water quality standards, officials said.

Long Beach has more than six miles of public beach, officials said.

To protect public health and safety, weekly water samples are collected and tested routinely to monitor bacterial levels. For safety reasons, community members are encouraged to pay close attention to warning signs posted at the beach and to avoid water contact while closures are in effect, officials said.

The Long Beach Police Department and Long Beach Fire Department were notified and supported the response. Police personnel assisted with traffic control and vehicle relocation in the affected area, officials said.

In coordination with the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services, including its Environmental Health Services Division, precautionary beach closures have been implemented at all 15 beach and open swimming sites and will remain in effect pending recreational water quality assessment results, officials said.

For the latest status on Long Beach recreational beach water quality, the public may call the water hotline at 562-570-4199 or click here.