Long Beach Beaches Temporarily Closed Due to Sewage Spill

Long Beach City Health Officer, Dr. Anissa Davis, ordered all swimming areas at beaches in Long Beach temporarily closed for water contact due to a sewage spill.  State law requires temporary closure and posting at beaches in these situations, out of an abundance of caution, until the water quality meets State requirements. 

According to a report received in the afternoon of December 30 from the California Office of Emergency Services, approximately two to four million gallons of untreated sewage was discharged into the Dominguez Channel. The Dominguez Channel terminates into the Los Angeles Harbor at the Port of Los Angeles. The sewage spill occurred in the City of Carson and was caused due to failure of a 48-inch sewer main line.   

The City of Long Beach Health Department’s Water Quality inspection team is monitoring water quality along the affected beach sites. Water monitoring will continue until results comply with State water quality standards. 

Long Beach has approximately seven miles of public beach. To protect the safety of the public, weekly water samples are collected and tested routinely to monitor bacterial levels. For their safety, the community is encouraged to pay close attention to any warning signs posted at the beach. 

For the latest status on Long Beach recreational beach water quality, the public can call the Water Hotline at (562) 570-4199 or visit http://www.longbeach.gov/beachwaterquality.