South Bay Leader

Long Beach, CA – Long Beach City Health Officer, Dr. Anissa Davis, has ordered all open coastal swimming areas in Long Beach temporarily closed for water contact due to a sewage spill. State law requires temporary closure and posting at beaches in these situations, out of an abundance of caution, until the water quality meets State requirements.

According to a report received today from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and from the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, approximately 50,000 gallons of sewage spilled into the Alhambra Wash which leads to the Rio Hondo Channel flowing into the Los Angeles River.  The report indicated that this was a result of sewer line overflow caused by a blockage.

Water from the Los Angeles River connects to the Pacific Ocean in Long Beach, which means pollution anywhere upriver can affect the coastal waters of the City. Long Beach has approximately seven miles of public beach. The City of Long Beach Health Department’s Recreational Water Quality health inspection team is monitoring water quality along the affected beach sites. Water monitoring will continue until results comply with State water quality standards.

People can call the Water Hotline at 562.570.4199 or visit longbeach.gov/beachwaterquality for the latest status on Long Beach recreational beach water quality.

To protect the safety of the public, water samples are collected and tested routinely to monitor bacterial levels. For their safety, the community is encouraged to pay close attention to any warning signs posted at the beach.

Media inquiries may be directed to Jennifer Rice Epstein, Public Affairs Officer, Department of Health and Human Services, at 562.441.3590 or Jennifer.RiceEpstein@longbeach.gov.

Original source can be found here.