Ocean and bay areas from Pelican Point at Crystal Cove in Newport Beach to the Poche Beach interface in Dana Point and San Clemente remained off-limits for water sports today as the Orange County Health Care Agency continued to monitor the effects of a raw sewage spill.
The spill of about 4 million gallons of raw sewage was due to a broken main at the Ben Brown Golf Course in Laguna Beach and was first reported at 4:40 p.m. Wednesday by the South Orange County Wastewater Authority and the City of Laguna Beach.
Orange County Health Officer Dr. Nichole Quick said the affected ocean and bay water areas will be closed to water sports until follow-up water quality monitoring determines they meet acceptable standards.
"I want to stress the importance of avoiding contact with ocean water in the affected areas due to the danger of exposure to untreated sewage, which can be harmful and result in very serious illness with potentially severe effects,'' Quick said.
Any residents or visitors who smell the odor of sewage in the affected areas can file a complaint through the South Coast Air Quality Management District at 800-CUT-SMOG (800-288-7664).
