Beach In El Segundo Reopens After Waste Was Removed, Dockweiler Still Closed
PLAYA DEL REY (CBSLA.com) — A stretch of beach in El Segundo that was closed due to medical waste and other garbage washing ashore reopened Friday night. But Dockweiler State Beach in Playa del Rey remained closed while cleanup efforts continue.
According to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, the beach was reopened between Grand Avenue and 45th Street around 6 p.m. Dockweiler State Beach from Grand Avenue north to Ballona Creek in Playa del Rey was still closed.
The beach was declared off-limits on Wednesday after debris including hypodermic needles, condoms, tampon applicators and other waste began washing up on the sand. Excessive bacteria levels were found in the water.
County health officials are warning people to avoid contact with ocean water, wet sand and any materials that washed ashore at Dockweiler State Beach.
Sanitation District spokeswoman Tonya Durrell said Thursday that crews collected at least 200 pounds of waste from the beaches. Officials believe it was discharged from a pipeline belonging to the city-owned Hyperion Treatment Plant.
The mile-long pipeline had been dormant but was brought back online last week as a heavy storm strained the regular 5-mile pipeline.
Durrell says the rains may have overflowed a tank meant to capture solid matter.
The closure will remain in effect until the beaches are clear of debris, according to the L.A. County Department of Public Health.
The origin of the debris remains under investigation.
For information on beach conditions, call the County's beach closure hotline at (800) 525-5662 or click here.
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