Parts of Dockweiler State Beach and Venice Beach are closed after about 15,000 gallons of untreated sewage leaked into the ocean, the Los Angeles Public Health Department announced.
Beachgoers are advised to avoid swimming, surfing and playing in the ocean water, one mile north and one mile south of Ballona Creek.
“The affected beaches will remain closed for at least 48 hours and until two water quality tests indicate that bacterial levels meet health standards,” a news release said. Public Health began water sampling testing on Monday.
On Saturday, a broken water main pushed sand into the city sewer line, which caused a backup, and the sewage was discharged into the water. The sewage had been flowing for two hours by the time L.A. Sanitation and Environment alerted the county health department of the issue, officials told the L.A. Times.
High bacterial levels have also impacted the following locations:
- The entire swim area at Las Flores Creek at Las Flores State Beach
- The entire swim area at Walnut Creek at Paradise Cove
- The entire swim area at Solstice Creek at Dan Blocker County Beach
- 100 yards up and down the coast from the public access steps from the Marie Canyon Storm Drain at Puerco Beach
- The entire swim area at Castlerock Storm Drain at Topanga County Beach
- 100 yards up and down the coast from the Paradise Cove Pier at Ramirez Creek
- The entire swim area at Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro
- The entire swim area at Escondido Creek at Escondido State Beach
- 100 yards up and down the coast from the lagoon at Topanga Canyon Beach
- 100 yards up and down the coast from the public restrooms at Malibu Lagoon at Surfrider Beach
- 100 yards up and down the coast from the Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica.
However, it’s not all bad news. A bacterial warning for Mothers Beach in Marina Del Rey has been lifted.
Residents can get more information on beach conditions by calling the county’s beach hotline at 1-800-525-5662 or visiting the L.A. County Public Health website.