Water at Little Corona beach remains off-limits after sewage spill

By Hannah FryStaff Writer

Nov. 16, 2015 11:05 AM PT

A sewage spill has closed part of Little Corona beach in Corona del Mar to swimming, diving and surfing until further notice, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency.

The agency posted a closure alert Sunday night for the area off Poppy Avenue and Ocean Boulevard.

Health Care Agency officials think the spill occurred about noon Sunday after tree roots blocked a storm drain leading to the beach. The blocked drain allowed about 150 gallons of sewage to flow into the ocean, said Anthony Martinez, program manager for the Health Care Agency.

Agency officials will test bacteria levels in the ocean water over the next several days. Little Corona was still closed to all aquatic activities as of Tuesday afternoon, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency.

Hannah Fry

Hannah Fry covers breaking news for the Los Angeles Times. She most recently covered Orange County for The Times and has written extensively about criminal trials, housing, politics and government. In 2020, Fry was part of the team that was a Pulitzer finalist for its coverage of a boat fire that killed 34 people off the coast of Santa Barbara. Fry came to The Times from the Daily Pilot, where she covered coastal cities, education and crime. An Orange County native, Fry started her career as an intern at the Orange County Register.