Unexplained Amount of Wastewater Shuts Down Los Angeles Beaches

Several beaches in the Los Angeles area have been closed for over 48 hours due to massive sewage contamination. This incident occurs amidst an intense heatwave affecting parts of California. Beaches such as Dockweiler State Beach and Venice Beach are among those affected, currently closed due to an estimated discharge of 15,000 gallons of untreated sewage. The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon in a neighborhood approximately seven miles east of the Santa Monica Pier, leading to the contamination of Ballona Creek. According to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, the pollution resulted from a broken water pipe that pushed sand into the sewage system, causing blockages. “Contact with the water can lead to illness,” authorities warned in their stark description of the closures. “If a beach is closed, the health department advises beachgoers to avoid any contact with the ocean water in the restricted area and at locations where signs are posted.” As of Tuesday morning, there had been no statement from the health department regarding the details of testing and cleanup measures. It remains unclear when the beaches will be reopened. Given the anticipated heatwaves, which could bring temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit in Southern California, the situation remains tense. The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat warning for more than 9.5 million people from Southern California to Montana. In some areas, the intense heat is expected to last at least through Thursday. Such incidents are by no means rare in Los Angeles. In May, over 14,000 gallons of sewage were discharged into the same creek, also resulting in temporary closures. Even more notable was an incident at the end of 2021, when around 8.5 million gallons of untreated sewage entered a flood control system, causing at least five beaches to be temporarily closed.