THOUSAND OAKS : Sewage Spill Prompts Health Warnings

Monitoring bacterial levels from a massive sewage spill in Thousand Oaks, authorities advised the public Thursday to avoid bodily contact with the ocean near Mugu Lagoon through today and with creek waters closer to the sewer pipe break through the weekend.

Thousand Oaks officials will continue to test water samples today in the Arroyo Conejo near the Lynn Ranch neighborhood, where a broken sewer main unleashed about 10 million gallons of raw sewage after last Friday’s torrential rains. The sewage line was repaired Tuesday night.

Curt Reithmayr, a public works manager for Thousand Oaks, said the pipeline repairs continue to hold. He said city officials will review bacteria tests Monday with county officials to decide whether additional steps are needed to safeguard public health.

Until then, he said, the city will keep its signs posted along the creek to warn residents to stay out of the water because of sewage contamination.

The county’s Environmental Health Division has warned the public to stay away from polluted waters to avoid gastrointestinal distress or possible infection to viruses such as hepatitis.

Taking their cue from county health officials, state park rangers will continue to advise swimmers, surfers, divers and fishermen to stay out of the surf on Thornhill Broome, Sycamore Cove and Leo Carrillo state beaches through this afternoon, parks Supt. Russ Guiney said.

Rangers will discontinue such warnings Saturday. At that point, Guiney said, “The health department feels that whatever effluent is in the ocean or creek that it would dissipate and no longer be of concern.”

Guiney said the spill has not posed much of a problem because the popular campgrounds at Thornhill Broome and Sycamore Canyon beaches have been closed this week. The state Parks and Recreation Department shut down the campgrounds because flood waters washed out a water pipe and left both facilities without running water.