TORRANCE, Calif. (KNX) — A stretch of beach south of Torrance remained closed Saturday after a sewage spill estimated at 5,000 gallons.
Public health officials from L.A. County warned beachgoers to avoid the area after revealing samples taken Friday exceeded state standards. The health department first announced the closure of RAT Beach at Malaga Creek on Sept. 7.
The beach is just south of Torrance and north of Rancho Palos Verdes.
Ocean Water Use Warnings of bacteria levels exceeding health standards include Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica Canyon Creek at Will Rogers State Beach, Tower 18 Pico-Kenter Storm Drain at Santa Monica Beach, and Mother's Beach in Marina Del Rey.
A main sewer line in Palos Verdes backed up, erupting sewage onto neighborhood streets before draining into a nearby creek and ultimately spilling into beach waters.
Frequent sewage spills tainting the ocean are blamed on failing infrastructure. Last year, roughly 17 million gallons of sewage from the Hyperion plant spilled into Santa Monica Bay. And in December, another pipe burst forced 6 million gallons onto streets, into a channel, and eventually into the ocean, forcing beach closures.
Daily sampling will continue, and beaches will remain closed until at least two consecutive tests meet health standards.
This recent spill occurred as thousands of volunteers participated in California Coastal Cleanup Day, collecting more than 11,000 pounds of trash along the Orange County coastline and nearby parks.
Among the discards collected were a Chromebook laptop, pizza oven, Porta-potty, bed frame, skateboard, and boogie board.
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