Sewage spill prompts beach closure near Los Angeles

MARINA DEL REY, Calif. (AP) — A stretch of Los Angeles area beach was closed after sewage was discharged near a creek that flows to the ocean, health officials said.

About 1,200 gallons (4,540 liters) of sewage spilled Saturday afternoon into a storm drain near Ballona Creek in Marina del Rey, but 500 gallons (1,890 liters) were recovered, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

Beach closure signs were posted warning people to avoid the ocean for at least 100 yards (91 meters) on either side of the creek.

The beach will remain closed until at least Wednesday. Health officials said the department’s lab cannot receive samples until Monday and that “it takes two consecutive satisfactory samples to reopen the beach.”

Officials didn’t immediately say what caused the spill.