Sewage shakes hands with LA beaches
Over eight million gallons of sewage caused Southern California beaches from Long Beach to Ranchos Palos Verdes to close temporarily, as directed by health officials. All swimming beaches were closed as well, after a sewer collapsed in Carson City, California, due to the failure of a 48-inch sewer main after a harsh rainstorm on Dec. 30, 2021.
Untreated waste was dumped into the Dominguez Channel, which empties into the Los Angeles Harbor. Health officials reported that there would be no damage to public health or property, but that contact with water could cause illness.
The Long Beach health department is inspecting water quality in the region and will continue doing so until they receive results in which bacteria levels obey state water quality standards. The Los Angeles County Sanitation District says that on Jan. 1, 2021, sewage overflow was finally put to a stop after installing replacement and additional bypass systems as protection for the future. The 70th annual Polar Bear Plunge held at Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro for a New Years’ Day celebration was canceled.
