Long Beach Closes All Coastal Waters Following Major Sewage Main Break

Sewage Main Break Prompts Immediate Coastal Water Closures

All open coastal swimming areas in Long Beach were ordered closed on Saturday, October 31, 2026, after a significant sewage spill, according to city officials. The closure affects not only beaches but also bay swimming zones and lagoons, following an emergency declaration by City Health Officer Dr. Cliff Okada.

Details of the Long Beach Sewage Spill Incident

Long Beach, known for its more than six miles of public beaches, experienced the spill after a break in a force main—a pressurized pipe used to transport wastewater across level or rising ground. The incident occurred near Livingston Drive and 2nd Street around 6:30 p.m. on Friday, as reported by the Long Beach Utilities Department.

In total, approximately 29,000 gallons of sewage were released. Of this, city officials managed to recover about 15,000 gallons, while 14,000 gallons ultimately entered the ocean. Emergency spill cleanup efforts were carried out with the assistance of contractor Ocean Blue, and repairs to the damaged pipe are currently underway.

Health and Safety Measures in Effect

As a precaution and in compliance with state law, Long Beach authorities implemented a temporary closure and posted warnings at all affected beaches. The goal is to prevent public exposure to ocean contamination until the recreational water quality meets established state requirements for safety. The city stated, "out of an abundance of caution," that the closures will remain until water quality standards are confirmed.

Water Quality Monitoring and Next Steps

Health officials regularly monitor coastal water quality in Long Beach. Following the spill, water sampling will commence on Monday, as weekend rainfall may influence contamination levels. Testing will continue as needed until results demonstrate compliance with state recreational water quality standards.

According to officials, full beach closures on the Long Beach coastline are rare and generally reserved for significant emergencies like raw sewage main breaks, severe weather, or fire debris incidents. In contrast, more common advisories include specific bacterial warnings or rain advisories linked to water runoff.

Related Advisories Along the Southern California Coast

On Friday, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health also advised against swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters near Ballona Creek at Dockweiler State Beach, Mother's Beach in Marina del Rey, and around the Santa Monica Pier due to elevated bacterial levels. These warnings highlight ongoing regional challenges related to beach water quality. In contrast, advisories were recently lifted at Malibu Point, Surfrider Beach near Malibu Tower 3, and Avalon Beach west of the pier on Catalina Island.

Conclusion

Long Beach’s full coastal water closure underscores the seriousness of major wastewater spill incidents and the city’s commitment to public beach safety. Updates will follow as pipe repairs progress and health officials complete water quality testing to ensure the readiness of the ocean for recreational use.

Source: latimes.com.