By Daily Press staff
A raw sewage spill into the Ballona Creek prompted Los Angeles County health officials Tuesday to shut down about two miles of beach near the Marina del Rey channel.
A Culver City sewage pumping station failed Monday night, dumping approximately 20,000 to 30,000 gallons of raw sewage into the creek, which empties into the Santa Monica Bay, according to John F. Schunhoff, acting chief deputy of the county Department of Public Health.
“Environmental health is closing the beach for a mile north and a mile south of the mouth of Ballona Creek, from Sandpiper Street at Dockweiler Beach to Ironsides Avenue in Venice,” Schunhoff said. “The lifeguards are posting the signs.”
The beach will remain closed until water samples test negative for bacteria, officials said. The beach will likely remain closed until this afternoon.
Updated information on beach closures available by calling (800) 525-5662.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 9, 2006. Read the original PDF.