18,000 Gallon Sewage Spill Shutters Beaches In Long Beach

LONG BEACH, CA — Approximately 18,000 gallons of sewage spilled into the Los Angeles River on Wednesday, causing city officials to shutter all swimming areas west of the Belmont Pier in Long Beach.

According to Long Beach City Health Officer Anissa Davis, the spill occurred in the morning in the City of Paramount. Davis said sewer capacity and heavy rainfall were the main factors that caused the spill.

No timeline was provided for when beaches were expected to reopen following the spill, but officials said water samples will be taken and tested to monitor bacterial levels. Once bacterial levels meet state standards for safety, beaches will reopen.

This spill is the third sewage spill in Los Angeles County in just seven months. In September 2022 beaches in Palos Verdes Estates, Torrance and Redondo Beach were shut down due to a 5,000-gallon spill. Beaches in Marina del Rey and Venice were also shut down in January after a spill of 64,000 gallons of raw sewage caused by a blocked main line.

Additionally, another sewage spill of 4,000 gallons was reported in Dana Point Wednesday evening, which prompted closures of Orange County beaches. The OC spill was triggered by an overflow in a main city sewer line and affected 1,500 feet of ocean waters up and down the coast of the area according to officials.

How long the beaches are closed will depend on the results of the daily water sample tests according to the health department. Beach closure signs will be posted until water conditions are found to be safe.