All beaches in Long Beach remained closed Monday after nearly 29,000 gallons of sewage spilled from a ruptured pipe Friday evening, sending contaminated water toward the ocean.
City health officials said cleanup and repair work continues, and sampling will start Monday and continue as needed until water-testing results comply with state environmental quality standards.
The spill occurred at about 6:30 p.m. near Livingston Drive and Second Street, according to the city. Roughly half of the wastewater was captured before it reached the coast, but 14,000 gallons did make it into the ocean.
Long Beach officials believe the discharge was the result of a break in a pressurized wastewater pipe known as a force main. The sewage spill was not related to the weekend rainstorm.
The closures affect all 6 miles of the city’s open coastal beaches, as well as bay swimming areas and lagoons.
Long Beach Health Officer Dr. Cliff Okada ordered the closures until water quality meets state health standards. The city has not estimated when beaches will reopen.
City crews were working to repair the damaged pipe and clean up the spill.
Long Beach Utilities rerouted wastewater through a bypass line, while contractor Ocean Blue assisted with cleanup efforts, officials said.
For information on water quality at local beaches, call the Water Hotline, 562-570-4199, or go to longbeach.gov/beachwaterquality.
