The water surrounding Belmont Pier and downtown Long Beach was tested and passed safety standards for entry, boating, and other activities that are enjoyed in this metropolitan region of Southern California. Popular with kite surfers and jet skiers, many simply ignore warning signs. There’s also Long Beach Dog Beach in this area that was closed, and dog owners were advised during the warnings not to let their dogs enter the water either.
Long Beach City Health Officer Dr. Helene Calvet said that beaches have been reopened after Health Department studies showed that bacteria levels were within state standards. Up to 1,400 gallons of sewage entered the ocean from the Los Angeles River, causing the closure last weekend. The closure was due to a sewage spill adjacent to Rainbow Harbor in Long Beach. The closure affected open coastal beaches from 3rd Place to the Belmont Memorial Pier.
Water quality monitoring will be performed by the Health Department’s Recreational Water Quality Program on a weekly basis. Call: Department of Health and Human Services Water Quality Information Line (562) 570-4199; longbeach.gov/health.
