Portion of coastline reopened after sewage spill

A half-mile portion of coastline near Aliso Beach Park was reopened Wednesday afternoon, two days after a raw sewage spill, said Larry Honeybourne, the Orange County Health Care Agency’s assistant director of environmental health.

Agency officials tested water quality samples and determined they met state standards, Honeybourne said.

Sewage was reported flowing out of a manhole cover at La Paz Road and Moulton Parkway in Laguna Hills at 3:10 a.m. Monday, Honeybourne said.

The sewage flowed into storm drains and entered Aliso Creek, which empties into the ocean at county-owned Aliso Beach Park in South Laguna.

Officials estimated the spill at 10,000 gallons and closed the stretch of coastline north and south of Aliso Beach Park, Honeybourne said.

The spill was caused by a blocked sewer line, likely caused by a collection of rags, toilet paper and plastic bags, said Matt Collings, Moulton Niguel Water District assistant general manager. District staff cleaned and inspected the line.

—Bryce Alderton

Twitter: @AldertonBryce