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California Beaches Face Warning Amid Sewage Spill

May 14, 2024


Seven beaches in the Los Angeles region are under a bacterial warning after a sewage spill last week.

According to the Department of Public Health (DPH) for Los Angeles County, around 14,400 gallons of untreated sewage spilled into Ballona Creek on Wednesday. The spillage ceased just after noon Thursday, and the leak led to closures at Dockweiler State Beach and Venice Beach for several days.

Additional warnings on Friday were issued for the seven beaches after public health officials began conducting water sampling for signs of bacteria. According to the department, warnings will remain in effect until two water samples with acceptable bacteria levels are collected.

California Beaches Facing Warning After Sewage Spill
Santa Monica Pier is pictured on April 29 in Santa Monica, California. A warning has been issued for several beaches in the greater Los Angeles area after a sewage spill last week.

Robin L Marshall/Getty Images

Below is a list of the seven beaches that still remain under a warning as of 8 p.m. EST Monday.

  • Escondido Creek at Escondido State Beach: Officials advise to avoid the entire swimming area.
  • Malibu Lagoon at Surfrider Beach: Officials warning to avoid the 100-yard span up and down the coast between the two public restrooms.
  • Santa Monica Canyon Creek at Will Rogers State Beach: Officials say to avoid the 100-yard span up and down the coast from where the creek reaches the ocean, near Life Guard Tower 18.
  • Santa Monica Pier: A warning has been issued for the 100 yards spanning up and down the coast surrounding the pier.
  • Mother’s Beach in Marina Del Rey: Officials say to avoid the entire swimming area.
  • Redondo Beach Pier: A warning was issued for the 100 yards spanning up and down the coast, starting at the pier.
  • Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro: Officials advise to avoid the entire swimming area.

Updated information regarding the warnings is recorded and available on the department’s hotline at 1-800-525-5662.

According to the DPH website, the department’s Environmental Health Recreational Waters Program collects ocean water samples once a week from selected sites. Testing is also conducted throughout the year by the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts and other local agencies.

Beach closures are issued “when a sewage spill has impacted ocean waters or when a significant potential health hazard has occurred or is suspected to have occurred,” read the DPH website.

“Water contact during a beach closure may cause illness especially in children, the elderly and susceptible people,” the department said. “Swimmers should avoid water contact at the posted areas of the beach until the hazardous condition has ended.”

The source of the spill has not been released. Newsweek reached out to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health for additional information via email on Monday.