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Beaches closed after 15,000 gallon of sewage spilled into Ballona Creek
U.S. Army National Guard members look at the water at Dockweiler State Beach in Playa del Rey on July 13, 2021, next to a sign indicating that the beach is closed to swimming after a sewage spill.
(
FREDERIC J. BROWN
/
AFP via Getty Images
)
Topline:
County health officials have closed a stretch of ocean near Ballona Creek after about 15,000 gallons of sewage spilled into the waterway on Saturday afternoon. They're warning people visiting the affected areas to avoid the water and wet sand.
Beaches impacted: The areas extending one mile north and one mile south of Ballona Creek have been closed, including Playa Del Rey Beach and the southern part of Venice Beach.
How long is the closure: The closure is in place for at least 48 hours and until bacterial levels of the water meet health standards.
The backstory: According to LA City Sanitation, the cause of the sewage discharge was a broken water main that pushed sand into the sewer.
What's next: On Monday, the Department of Public Health will start conduct water sampling.
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