ENCINITAS : Moonlight Beach Hit by Sewage Spill
About 50,000 gallons of untreated sewage spilled into the ocean Monday at the north end of Moonlight Beach in Encinitas, County Health Service officials said.
Sewage began overflowing shortly after 5 a.m. from two manholes near the intersection of 3rd and B streets. It continued to empty through a storm drain at Moonlight Beach. The spill, caused by a pump failure, lasted 70 minutes, a spokesman from the county agency said.
Signs warning of contamination were posted within three-quarters of a mile of the drain. Beach closure is expected to last 48 hours, the county spokesman said. After two days, the county will measure bacteria in the water to determine if the sewage has dissipated to safe levels.
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