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Beaches In Long Beach Closed Due To Sewage Release, Bacteria

LONG BEACH (CBS) — Beaches in Long Beach have been ordered closed due to a sewage release into the Los Angeles River near Studio City, according to city officials.

Rain overwhelmed the sewage system and caused an overflow. Steve Nakguchi of the Long Beach Bureau of Environmental Health said. Long Beach was most likely the only coastal city affected by the overflow because the Los Angeles River empties into the ocean at Long Beach Harbor.

The spill was reported at 8 p.m. Sunday and stopped by 11:45 p.m. The sewage flowed into the river and 39 miles to Long Beach.

The beach closures will remain in effect until water testing results are within state standards, said Dr. Helen Calvet, the Long Beach health officer.

Calvet also issued a general rain advisory for all swimming areas, including beaches and bays. After any significant rainfall, high levels of bacteria pollute the runoff.

(©2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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