LA beaches close after 17mn gallons of sewage spills into the ocean
Los Angeles beaches were closed on Monday after 17 million gallons of sewage were discharged into the ocean. The discharge was caused by a power outage at the Hyperion Water Reclamation plant near Dockweiler State Beach.
“Beaches from El Segundo to the Dockweiler RV Park are closed for swimming.” Janice Hahn, Los Angeles County Supervisor tweeted on Monday.
According to the Los Angeles County department for Public Health, Grand Ave. Storm Drain beach, El Segundo beach, Dockweiler State Beach at both Hyperion Plant, and Water Way Extension have been affected.
“The affected beaches remain closed until water samples are confirmed negative for elevated bacteria. The testing results are expected to be available within 24 hours. Beach users are advised to stay out of the water until the advisory is removed.” the department said in a statement.
“The plant’s relief system was triggered and sewage flows were controlled through the use of the plant’s one-mile outfall and discharge of untreated sewage into Santa Monica Bay,” told Timeyin Dafeta, Executive Plant Manager, to AP News.
According to USA Today reports, the Hyperion plant is Los Angeles’s largest and oldest sewage treatment facility which has operated since 1984. It was designed to accommodate a daily flow of 450 million gallons of water.
