A one-mile stretch of beach near Ballona Creek was closed to swimmers and surfers on Tuesday due to a roughly 5,000-gallon sewage spill, the county’s top health official announced.
The shoreline will remain off-limits until at least 4 p.m. Thursday, as the county tests bacteria levels in water samples taken this morning.
The sewage may have entered the ocean at Centinela Creek, which discharges into Ballona Creek, said Dr. Jonathan Fielding, director of the county Department of Public Health.
“We are asking people to avoid entering or swimming in the ocean in the area immediately surrounding Ballona Creek,” Fielding said.
Warning signs have been posted a quarter-mile north and south of Ballona Creek, near Dockweiler State Beach, advising beachgoers to avoid the water.
The sand area of the creek is not affected.
The county was alerted to the discharge by the Inglewood Department of Public Works, which will be continuing clean-up efforts.
Recorded information on beach conditions is available at (800) 525-5662 or at publichealth.lacounty.gov/beach