Spill-Fouled Beach May Reopen Today
A one-mile stretch of San Buenaventura State Beach that was closed over the weekend due to a sewage spill could reopen today, according to the County Environmental Health Department.
“We’ve been testing the water, and the bacteria levels have been dropping,” said Elizabeth Huff, community services manager.
The spill occurred at about 10 a.m. Saturday, when a broken sewage pipe dumped about 2,000 gallons of raw waste into a stream bed that leads to the beach. County officials closed the beach between Sanjon Road and Seaward Avenue.
State lifeguards said most beach-goers heeded the warning signs and stayed out of the water, which could be contaminated with hepatitis A and E. coli bacteria.
“I can see a few surfers out there,” said Steve White, a lifeguard supervisor. “But most people seem to be staying out of the water, which is a good thing.”
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