PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach City Health Officer, Dr. Anissa Davis, ordered all swimming areas along the coastal beaches 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 today from Los Angeles County, approximately 764,000 gallons of sewage was discharged into the Los Angeles River on February 14, 2019. The sewage spill occurred at the intersection of Hollydale Boulevard and Silverlake Boulevard, in the City of Los Angeles. At this time, the cause of the sewage spill is unknown and is under investigation. 

Upon notification from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, the City of Long Beach Health Department’s Recreational Water Quality health inspection team began monitoring water quality along the coast. 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. The community is encouraged to pay close attention to any warning signs posted at the beach for their safety.

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.