PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach City Health Officer, Dr. Anissa Davis, has ordered all recreational swimming areas at or near Colorado Lagoon and Alamitos Bay in Long Beach temporarily closed for water contact due to sewage spills. 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 from the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES), over 47,000 gallons of sewage was discharged into Long Beach bay areas in the morning of Feb. 1 as a result of infrastructure challenges experienced by the Los Angeles County Sanitation District during yesterday’s heavy rainfall.

A rain advisory, issued by Dr. Davis Feb. 1, 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 began posting signs along the waterfront yesterday to let beachgoers know of the closure.

The City of Long Beach Health Department’s Recreational Water Quality health inspection team is monitoring water quality in the bay areas. 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. For their safety, the community is encouraged to pay close attention to any warning signs posted at the beach.

For the latest status on Long Beach recreational beach water quality, the public can call the Water Hotline at 562.570.4199 or visit longbeach.gov/beachwaterquality.