Ocean water in the area where Doheny State Beach and San Juan Creek meet in Dana Point has been contaminated by a sewage spill and will be closed until further notice, the OC Health Care Agency announced on Wednesday.
The closure occurred after an estimated 4,000 gallons of sewage spilled in the area due to an overflow of a main city sewer line in San Juan Capistrano, Environmental Health officials at the OC health agency said in a statement.
Officials said 1,500 feet of ocean water up the coast, as well as 1,500 feet down the coast of that area, were affected by the spill. Swimming, surfing, and diving in that area are closed to the public until the water quality meets acceptable standards.
Also, during rainstorms, healthcare officials said bacteria levels could rise significantly and remain elevated for at least three days in water areas near storm drains.
They advise avoiding contact with runoff while on the beach.
The Orange County spill isn’t the only one in Southern California. Long Beach closed its ocean swimming areas west of the Belmont Pier on Wednesday because of an approximately 18,000-gallon sewage spill in Paramount.
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