Sewage spill keeps Long Beach coastal swimming areas closed

All coastal swimming areas in Long Beach remained closed Sunday after a wastewater pipe rupture released about 29,000 gallons of sewage Friday evening, according to ABC7 Los Angeles. About half was captured before reaching the ocean.

The closure covers six miles of open coastal beaches as well as bay swimming areas and lagoons. Reopening depends on water quality meeting state recreational standards, with sampling scheduled to begin Monday.

ABC7 Los Angeles reported that the spill occurred near Livingston Drive and Second Street at about 6:30 p.m. Friday. The Long Beach Utilities Department put the volume discharged at about 29,000 gallons.

City health officials believed a break in a pressurized wastewater pipe caused the discharge. The spill was unrelated to the weekend rainstorm, according to the report.

Long Beach Utilities diverted wastewater into a bypass line. Contractor Ocean Blue helped with cleanup, and work to repair the damaged pipe was underway.

City Health Officer Dr. Cliff Okada ordered the swimming areas closed until the water meets state requirements. According to a city statement issued Saturday and cited by ABC7, sampling was scheduled to start Monday and continue as needed until results meet those standards.

Sunday's closures remained in place while pipe repairs and cleanup continued. Water testing will determine when the swimming areas meet the state's requirements for reopening.