15,000 Gallons of Raw Sewage Spilled into Pacific Ocean and Closes Beaches for 1-Mile Radius Around Ballona Creek

July 20, 2024

Ocean Water Closure Due to Sewage Release

Avoid Water Contact and Wet Sand

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has issued an ocean water closure for the following area due to the release of approximately 15,000 gallons of untreated sewage:

One mile north and one mile south of Ballona Creek.

Public Health officials are advising residents or visitors planning to visit Los Angeles County beaches to avoid contact with ocean water and wet sand in the areas noted above.

According to LA City Sanitation, a sewage discharge occurred on July 20th around 4:00pm near 2700 S Cresta Pl, Los Angeles CA 90064, resulting in an estimated 15,000 gallons of sewage entering Ballona Creek. The cause of the sewage discharge was a broken water main that pushed sand into the sewer causing the blockage.

The affected beaches will remain closed for at least 48 hours and until two water quality tests indicate that bacterial levels meet health standards. The Department of Public Health will conduct water sampling beginning on July 22nd.

Recorded information on beach conditions is available 24- hours a day on the County's beach closure hotline:

1-800- 525-5662. To view the map of impacted locations and for more information, please visit: PublicHealth.LACounty.gov/Beach/.