Will Rogers State Beach reopens after sewage spill just before Labor Day weekend

PACIFIC PALISADES, LOS ANGELES (CNS) -- A mile-long stretch of coastline at Will Rogers State Beach was reopened to swimmers and surfers Friday following a closure prompted by a 6,700-gallon sewage spill.

According to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, the spill occurred Thursday in the 17300 block of Sunset Boulevard at Paseo Miramar.

Health officials believed the untreated sewage wound up in a storm drain that carried it to the ocean at Sunset at Pacific Coast Highway. As a result, officials closed the beach a half-mile north and south of Sunset Boulevard, with people advised to avoid the ocean water and any wet sand on the beach.

On Friday afternoon, however, health officials said they had been informed by the county Department of Public Works that a "low flow diverter on the affected storm drain" had redirected the discharge and prevented contamination of the ocean water. Therefore, the beach closure was lifted.

The sewage spill was caused by tree roots blocking a sewer line, health officials said.

Information on county beach conditions is available 24 hours a day by calling 800-525-5662, or online at PublicHealth.LACounty.gov/Beach/.

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