Long Beach Closes Coastal Waters After 29,000 Gallons of Sewage Spill
Long Beach shut down all coastal swimming areas after a burst pipe released nearly 30,000 gallons of raw sewage. Water testing begins Monday.
POLICY WIRE — Long Beach, United States — The city of Long Beach, California, has suspended access to all open coastal swimming sites following a significant wastewater infrastructure failure. This precautionary measure was announced by city officials on Saturday, citing the severity of the contamination in the surrounding waters.
The incident originated when a wastewater pipe ruptured near Livingston Drive in the Belmont Shore neighborhood. The break occurred on Friday evening, immediately disrupting local aquatic activities due to the release of raw materials into the marine environment.
Authorities confirmed that approximately 29,000 gallons of raw sewage escaped from the damaged main. This volume of waste required an immediate and total closure of the coastline to protect public health and safety.
The shutdown encompasses all designated swimming zones, including the city’s bay areas and coastal lagoons. Residents and visitors are restricted from entering these water bodies until further notice is issued by local health officials.
Laboratory analysis of the water quality is scheduled to commence on Monday. These tests will determine the extent of the contamination and establish the timeline for reopening the coastal sites to the public.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
