Gas Leak From Sewer Forces Lane Closure

City officials closed a half-mile lane of Coast Highway on Saturday after underground methane and hydrogen sulfide gases reached flammable levels in parts of the sewage system.

The naturally occurring gases, which for more than 40 years have produced the occasional scent of rotten eggs, apparently have leaked into the county sanitation system, according to Scott Allan, a Newport Beach Fire Department battalion chief.

“That’s what has us concerned,” said Allan. “We had some workers taking samplings and it was approaching the lower flammable limits. This is the first time we’ve ever had anyone taking samplings.”

Allan said that about an acre of “gas-bearing sand” lies under Coast Highway. For at least the next two days, one lane of the highway will be closed from Newport Boulevard to Balboa Boulevard while sanitation workers search for an explanation. A television camera will be dropped down below one of the manhole covers to explore for pipe leaks.

“We haven’t quite determined yet what to do,” Allan said. “The gas levels seem to rise with the high tide. If we need to, we could put another vent in the sewage system and suck off the gas.”