Newport shoreline stays closed

Orange County Heath Care Agency officials have continued the closure of 100 feet of shoreline in the Newport Harbor after what they are calling a small sewage spill earlier this week.

Authorities closed the beach after being notified of a grease backup at the Newport Landing Restaurant Sunday afternoon, authorities said.

Grease blocking a private sewer line from the restaurant caused a spill of between 5 and 50 gallons of sewage, said Deanne Thompson, spokeswoman for the agency.

“As soon as our chef found out what happened, he called,” said Newport Landing Manager David Mehrazar. “It was just a fluke.”

The grease traps underneath the kitchen are cleaned out roughly every few weeks, Mehrazar said.

The restaurant has continued its operations and did not close down as a result of the spill.

Health authorities kept the area closed Monday to swimming and diving along the area near the Balboa Island Ferry’s route on the Balboa Peninsula side. The closure stretches along the bay 50 feet below and above the spill near Adams Street, authorities said.

The waters will be opened at the earliest by noon today, Thompson said.

Health officials have conducted daily tests of the surrounding waters and are awaiting results from the most recent tests taken Wednesday that should be complete sometime this morning.

For more information on sewage spills or water closures, call the health care agency at (714) 433-6400 or visit ocbeachinfo.com.