Sewage spill closes Corona del Mar beaches

-- Greg Risling

CORONA DEL MAR -- A 1,500-gallon sewage spill Sunday caused county health

officials to close three Newport beaches until later this week.

Health officials will take bacteria samples to determine the level of

contamination near China Cove, Harbor Patrol and Rocky Point beaches. The

cove beaches, which stretch for about a quarter of a mile, will be closed

for at least three days.

The sewage leak occurred near Avocado Avenue and Waterfront Drive in

Corona del Mar. A half-mile stretch of pipeline cracked because of tree

roots that blocked the passageway, authorities said. A buildup of grease

was also found inside the pipeline. Work crews will spend part of the

week cleaning out the debris accumulated inside the pipe.

The sewage spill was noticed over the weekend and crews were able to stop

it within a couple hours.

Health officials have issued a warning to swimmers and surfers to stay

out of the water near the beaches. Ingesting any of the polluted water

can cause nausea, vomiting and nose and throat infections, authorities

said.

Larry Honeybourne, director of the county’s health agency, said there are

between 20 to 40 sewage spills every year in Orange County. Eventually,

the contaminated water will likely be washed into the ocean by the

outgoing tide.