Sewage Spill Forces Closure of Beaches

Beaches were closed for swimming at Avalon on Catalina Island Wednesday because of a sewage spill into the bay.

City Manager Chuck Prince described the closure as “voluntary and precautionary” pending the outcome of water quality tests expected by the weekend, when the swimming ban may be lifted.

Prince said a spill from the Casino Building in Avalon was reported at 8 p.m. Tuesday. Until the leak was plugged about three hours later, he said, “minor amounts of sewage” were vented into Avalon Bay.

“We thought it best to institute this voluntary closure,” said Avalon Mayor Hugh T. Smith. “With good test results, the beaches may be opened by the end of the week or this weekend.”