The San Diego County Department of Environmental Health and Quality announced on Tuesday a Sewage spill that released half-million gallons of waste into the Pacific Ocean.
The sewage spill occurred at 700 W. Harbor Ave after a power outage caused the city of San Diego pump station to lose function, according to a spokesperson for the DEHQ .An estimated 500,000 gallons of sewage were released during the outage.
The affected areas include all water north and west of Chollas Creek, up to Shelter Island;" South Ponto State Beach in Carlsbad; the nearby outlet of the Batiquitos Lagoon; and Park Morrison Pond in Sweetwater Summit Regional Park, according to a press release.
The agency announced a General Rain Advisory on Monday for all coastal beaches and bays due to the rise of bacteria levels from urban runoff. Swimmers, surfers, and other ocean users are warned that bacteria levels can rise significantly in ocean waters, especially near storm drains, creeks, rivers, and lagoon outlets that discharge urban runoff.
The DEHQ said the closures would remain in place until sampling and field observations confirm these areas are safe.
The agency continued its closure orders for Children's Pool in La Jolla and Tourmaline Surf Park in Pacific Beach, which have an advisory due to high bacteria levels, and Tijuana Slough, Imperial Beach, Silver Strand, and Coronado Shorelines, due to Tijuana River sewage outflow.
For updates on beach advisory and closure, information visit www.sdbeachinfo.com or call the 24-hour hotline at 619-338-2073.
