Long Beach officials reopen beaches after massive sewage spill

The Long Beach shoreline at Bluff Park. The Long Beach shoreline at Bluff Park.
The Long Beach shoreline at Bluff Park. | Photo courtesy of Terry Lucas/Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)

All open coastal swimming areas in Long Beach, including ocean beaches, bay swimming areas and lagoons, have reopened following a recent sewage spill, city health officials announced Monday.

The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services lifted the temporary closures after water samples showed that recreational water quality had returned to levels meeting state standards, officials said.

The department had been monitoring water conditions and collecting samples following the Oct. 30 spill to determine whether the affected areas were safe for swimming.

The health department routinely tests recreational waters throughout Long Beach, officials said.

Beachgoers were encouraged to check current water quality conditions and observe posted warning signs before entering the water. For updated recreational water quality information, residents and visitors can check longbeach.gov/beachwaterquality or call the city’s Water Hotline at 562-570-4199.

Nearly 30,000 gallons of sewage spilled toward the ocean from a ruptured pipe around 6:30 p.m. Oct. 30, and an estimated 14,000 gallons reached the ocean, according to the city. The spill occurred near Livingston Drive and Second Street in the Belmont Shore neighborhood.

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