Sewage closes ocean in Seal Beach

Sewage has made its way to the ocean in Seal Beach, prompting authorities to close the stretch of water from the San Gabriel River to the Anaheim Bay breakwater.

The OC Health Care Agency closed the area “due to the occurrence of multiple sewage spills that were caused by weather-impacted surges on sewer mains in areas of Los Angeles County that border Orange County,” according to a news alert sent out Wednesday afternoon.

“Out of an abundance of caution, the affected ocean water area will remain closed to swimming, surfing, and diving until the results of follow-up water quality monitoring meet acceptable standards,” officials said.

Earlier in the day, Seal Beach Marine Safety Chief Joe Bailey said he was told the closure was due to about 30,000 gallons of sewage coming from Coyote Creek, which feeds into the San Gabriel River, however the OC Health Care Agency did not specify where the suspected sewage was flowing from.

A final burst of rain for Southern California — then the storms are done

The spill was among several this week, including a 8 million gallons of raw sewage that got into the Dominguez Channel on Monday, Feb. 5.

Last week, two occurred in Long Beach – one with 38,000 gallons and a 20,000-gallon spill. There was also a 10,000-gallon spill into the Palos Verdes Peninsula area and more elsewhere.

The spills led to closures of the ocean in coastal areas, including Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro and all ocean water swimming areas in Long Beach, both closed until further notice.

Advisories by healthcare agencies in Orange and Los Angeles counties are advising people to stay out of the water for 72 hours following rain, especially near storm drains and river outlets.

“The elevated levels of bacteria can continue for a period of at least three days, depending upon the intensity of the rain and the volume of the runoff,” the Orange County Health Care Agency warns. “Swimmers should avoid coastal waters impacted by discharging storm drains, creeks and rivers, and beach users should avoid contact with any runoff on the beach during dry or wet weather conditions.”