Public health officials closed the popular Dockweiler State Beach in Playa Del Rey after thousands of gallons of untreated sewage spilled into the area.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued the notice on May 9 after sewage leaked into Ballona Creek the day before. About 14,400 gallons spilled into the waterway leading off the coast at Dockweiler.
Public health officials advised residents and visitors to avoid the water and areas with wet sand.
Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images
The department will take water samples beginning May 10 to determine if sewage has left the area. Scientists will not reopen the beach until they have at least two test results showing that bacteria levels have returned to health standards.
