Dockweiler, El Segundo Beaches Reopen After Medical Waste Clean-Up

DOCKWEILER STATE BEACH (CBSLA.com/AP) — Two Los Angeles beaches closed after hypodermic needles, condoms and tampon applicators washed ashore have both reopened.

The public was allowed back on El Segundo Beach Friday evening, and adjacent Dockweiler State Beach was reopened around 1 p.m. Saturday.

The waste was spotted at Dockweiler on Wednesday, leading to that beach's immediate closure and El Segundo's the next day. Excessive bacteria levels were also found in the water.

Sanitation District spokeswoman Tonya Durrell said 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 it 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 L.A. County Department of Public Health released a statement Saturday, which said, in part: "The investigation is ongoing to determine what caused the debris to wash up on shore. Public Health will continue to work with the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors, County Life Guards, and Los Angeles City Sanitation to monitor the beaches to ensure they are safe for the public."

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