11,000-gallon sewage spill closes Long Beach waters to swimmers

LONG BEACH — All ocean areas in Long Beach were off-limits to swimmers and surfers Monday due to a sewage spill that contaminated the water.

According to Long Beach health officials, the spill occurred Sunday in Hawaiian Gardens, dumping roughly 11,000 gallons of sewage into the San Gabriel River, running to the coast. The spill was caused by a grease blockage, according to the city.

Long Beach has roughly seven miles of public beach. The ocean water will remain off-limits until testing determines bacteria levels are within state standards.