Health & Fitness
Beaches in Long Beach Reopens Following Sewage Spill
Test results show the water was safe for swimming, the city said.
LONG BEACH, CA — All beaches in Long Beach have reopened Friday just in time for the heat wave this weekend.
The beaches were closed following a 2.4 million gallon sewage spill Monday afternoon in downtown Los Angeles. The spill reached the Los Angeles River, which ends in Long Beach.
Interim Long Beach Health Officer Dr. Mauro Torno reopened the beaches after two consecutive test results showed bacteria levels were within the safe range for swimming.
Find out what's happening in Long Beachfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Los Angeles County Public Works crews were able to stop the spill, but only after an estimated 1.75 million gallons entered the Los Angeles River.
The spill occurred about 2 p.m. Monday at Sixth Street and Mission Road in Boyle Heights, sending sewage into the Los Angeles River.
Find out what's happening in Long Beachfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The flow of sewage from the ruptured pipe was stopped Tuesday afternoon, but not before 2.4 million gallons spilled onto area streets and into the L.A. River. Officials with the Los Angeles Department of Public Works said about 750,000 gallons of the spilled sewage had been recaptured.
— photo via Shutterstock
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