New Year's 'Polar Plunge' Canceled Due To Sewage Spill

SAN PEDRO, CA — Scratch the annual Polar Plunge at Cabrillo Beach off your list of potential New Year's Day amusements — the beach remains closed due to lingering effects from a recent sewage spill.

"In the wake of last week's storm and sewage spill, testing by the Department of Public Health shows that bacteria levels are still high in the waters off Cabrillo Beach and any contact with the ocean could cause you serious illness," L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn said in a statement Wednesday.

"The beach will remain closed for at least the next few days, and I know that is a big disappointment to everyone who had been looking forward to this year's New Year's Day Polar Plunge. I may complain about the cold, but it is one of my favorite traditions, and I was ready for it this year (new swimsuit and all).

"As much as we all pride ourselves on braving the freezing water, this year it is just not safe to do so."

On Christmas Day, authorities issued an ocean water closure around Cabrillo Beach due to the release of approximately 100,000 gallons of sewage.

The closure affects an area three-quarters of a mile upstream and downstream from the beach, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

"Public Health officials are advising residents or visitors to avoid contact with ocean water and wet sand in the areas noted above. The release impacted the asphalt and flowed to the nearby beach, affecting both the sand and ocean water," the department said.

Hahn said the discharge emanated from a manhole in Carson.

Officials said they will continue to conduct water sampling, and that the closure will remain in effect until Public Health receives sampling results indicating that bacterial levels meet health standards.

Recorded information on beach conditions is available 24 hours a day on the county's beach closure hotline at 1-800-525-5662.

City News Service