Sewage Lines Suspect in Beach Contamination
Huntington State Beach, already closed nearly a week, will remain shut until authorities trace the source of a bacterial contamination found in the water.
Monica Mazur, environmental specialist at the Orange County Health Care Agency, said video cameras will be placed today inside sewer lines leading from the public restrooms to determine if sewage is leaking from the pipes.
“We’ve found elevated bacteria levels but aren’t sure about the source. It could possibly be sewage,” Mazur said.
She said the same problem occurred in 1996 at Bolsa Chica State Beach, and authorities used video cameras inside the sewer lines to pinpoint the problem. In that case, engineers found 40 cracks and separations in the sewer lines that served the restrooms, she said.
The closure, which began July 1, will continue until the source of the contamination is found and eliminated, Mazur said.
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Beach Still Closed
The Orange County Health Care Agency has closed a mile-long stretch of Huntington State Beach because of high bacteria counts. The nearby city beach remains open.
Sources: California Department of Parks and Recreation, City of Huntington Beach.
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