Some Local Beaches Still Closed Nine Days After Sewage Spill

Coastal beaches east of Molina Avenue in Long Beach were reopened today, with city officials saying bacteria levels have finally dipped back to normal levels following a sewage spill that occurred nine days ago.

Beaches west of Molina Avenue will remain closed, although Long Beach officials said those waters are clearing and improving significantly. But the beaches will stay closed “until daily water monitoring ensures that they are safe to re-open.”

Bayside beaches that were unaffected by the sewage spill remain open.

The sewage spill occurred Sept. 15 during heavy rains that destroyed a temporary retaining wall in San Gabriel and then ruptured a sewage line. Officials initially estimated that 250,000 gallons of sewage were dumped into the Rubio Wash, which ultimately leads into the ocean in Long Beach. Later estimates put the size of the spill at about 480,000 gallons.