Long Beach Closes 15 Beaches After 29000 Gallons of Sewage Spill

A sewage emergency forced authorities in Long Beach, California, to close 15 beaches and all open coastal swimming areas after a damaged wastewater pipe released approximately 29,000 gallons of sewage Friday evening. About 14,000 gallons reached the ocean, prompting an immediate public health precaution.

The closure covers more than six miles of public coastline, including beaches, bay swimming areas and lagoons. City officials have not announced when residents and visitors will be allowed back into the water.

According to the Long Beach Utilities Department, the spill occurred near Livingston Drive and 2nd Street in the Belmont Shore area, beginning around 6:30 p.m. Friday. Approximately 15,000 gallons were recovered before reaching the ocean, while the remaining 14,000 gallons entered coastal waters.

The department identified the damaged infrastructure as a "force main," a pressurized pipeline designed to transport wastewater across flat or elevated terrain. Officials have not disclosed what caused the pipe to break.

Long Beach Utilities redirected wastewater through a bypass line to stop the continuing discharge. The city also hired emergency contractor Ocean Blue to assist with cleanup operations while repair crews worked to restore the damaged pipeline.

City Health Officer Dr. Cliff Okada ordered the closure because the discharge could compromise recreational water quality. The city said the precautionary restrictions were imposed "out of an abundance of caution" and in accordance with state requirements.

California regulations require coastal swimming areas affected by sewage discharges to remain closed until water testing confirms that conditions meet established recreational water quality standards. The restrictions apply to the affected coastal environment rather than only the immediate spill location.

Long Beach officials said rainfall expected over the weekend could complicate water quality assessments. Consequently, sampling is scheduled to begin Monday, with additional tests planned until laboratory results demonstrate compliance with state standards.

The city's public announcement described the incident as a wastewater pipeline failure. A statement characterized the event as a "force main break, a pressurized pipe to convey wastewater." The city has not provided a confirmed reopening date.

Beach closures associated with sewage contamination are not unusual in the region. Long Beach frequently experiences coastal water restrictions following upstream sewage discharges that travel through the Los Angeles and San Gabriel rivers from neighboring communities.

Over one recent five-year period, local beaches were closed for 63 days because of sewage spills originating upstream, according to the Long Beach Post. Many of those incidents occurred outside Long Beach's municipal boundaries.

Long Beach's coastal waters have also experienced other recent emergencies. In August, two jet skiers became stranded after passing the city's breakwater, while powerful waves associated with Post-Tropical Storm Rachel damaged beachfront homes in October.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued separate swimming warnings on Friday for waters near Ballona Creek at Dockweiler State Beach, Mother's Beach in Marina del Rey and the area near Santa Monica Pier because bacterial levels exceeded health standards. Previous warnings were lifted at Malibu Point, Surfrider Beach near Malibu Tower 3 and Avalon Beach west of the pier on Catalina Island.

Water quality testing in Long Beach is scheduled to start Monday. All affected coastal swimming areas will remain closed until test results satisfy California's recreational water quality requirements.