PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach City Health Officer, Dr. Anissa Davis, ordered swimming areas west of Belmont Shore 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.

The sewage spill occurred in the City of San Gabriel. According to a report received early this afternoon from California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, about 15,000 gallons of sewage spilled into Rubio Wash, which is located in the City of San Gabriel and leads to the Los Angeles River. A grease blockage in the city sewer main line caused the spill. 

While the origin of the spill is more than 25 miles away, this sewage will eventually make its way to Long Beach shores via the Los Angeles River. Water from the Los Angeles River connects to the Pacific Ocean in Long Beach, which means pollution anywhere upriver can affect the coastal waters and other waterways in the city. Long Beach has just over six miles of public beach. The City of Long Beach Health Department’s Recreational Water Quality health inspection team is monitoring water quality along the affected beach sites and will continue to do so until results meet the State water quality standards.

A rain advisory, issued by Dr. Davis this morning, is already in place. The advisory recommends that people avoid swimming in the water for three days following any significant rain. Unlike that advisory, a sewage spill requires a mandatory closure. City workers have begun posting signs along the waterfront to let beachgoers know of the closure; people can call the water hotline at (562) 570-4199 or visit longbeach.gov/beachwaterquality for the latest status on Long Beach recreational beach water quality.

To protect the safety of the public, 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.

Media inquiries regarding Long Beach beaches can be directed to Jennifer Rice Epstein, Public Affairs Officer, Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services, 562.441.3590 or Jennifer.RiceEpstein@longbeach.gov.