Sewage spill forces closure of Long Beach swimming areas

Workers clean oil out of wetlands near Huntington State Beach on Oct. 4, 2021, after an oil spill from an offshore rig that threatened the lives of ocean wildlife and birds. About 25,000 gallons of oil seeped into the ocean from the ruptured 16-inch pipeline submerged about 4.7 miles west of Huntington Beach. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)

A 47,000-gallon sewage spill forced the closure Friday of all recreational swimming areas at or near Colorado Lagoon and Alamitos Bay in Long Beach.

According to the city, the spill stemmed from Los Angeles County Sanitation District equipment amid Thursday morning’s heavy rainfall.

The city’s health officer, Dr. Anissa Davis, had already issued a rain advisory Thursday urging people to avoid swimming in the ocean following this week’s rains, which can carry contaminated debris and bacteria to the water. But the sewage spill has now mandated an ocean-water closure.

“The city of Long Beach Health Department’s Recreational Water Quality health inspection team is monitoring water quality in the bay areas,” read a statement from the city. “Water monitoring will continue until results comply with State water quality standards.”

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