Health

Sewage Spills Prompt Closures at Two Beaches

Contamination warning signs are posted along stretches of the coast in Del Mar and San Onofre.

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Contamination warning signs are posted along stretches of the coast in Del Mar and San Onofre.

An estimated 7,000 gallon sewage spill occurred yesterday at the San Onofre Plant at 5000 Pacific Coast Highway.

The cause of the spill was blockage in a line that resulted in an accidental bypass of sewage to the outfall which discharges approximately 3000 feet out from the shore line. The spill started 9 a.m. and ended at 4 p.m. yesterday. Crews from San Onofre Maintenance cleared the blockage at 9:41 PM yesterday.

The spill was originally estimated to be 26,000 gallons but has since been downgraded to 7,000 gallons. Signs warning of sewage contamination are posted at the beach from ¼ mile north to ¼ mile south of the San Onofre Plant at San Onofre State Beach (Old Man’s).

A sewage spill occurred today at 8th Street in Del Mar which flowed into the Pacific Ocean at 8th Street. The spill was caused by a blockage in a sewage line. The spill was discovered at 2:50pm and City of Del Mar staff stopped the release at 5:00pm. None of the spill was recovered, and it is estimated that the total release was approximately 1,000 gallons. Signs warning of contamination have been posted by City of Del Mar staff.

Signs in both cases will remain in place until water sampling shows that the water is safe for recreational use.