Ventura County beach closures ordered after 148,000-gallon sewage spill
A massive spill equaling nearly 148,000 gallons of sewage has closed several miles of beach in Ventura County.
According to a statement from Ventura County Resource Management Agency, a "collapsed sewer line caused the overflow of sewage into the street and into the Santa Clara River," from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Thursday in Fillmore.
Residents are advised to avoid water at all public access points downstream, as well as beaches south of Ventura Harbor, extending to Oxnard Shores.
Water quality at the following beaches do not meet California standards for bacteria:
- Faria County Park Beach (Ventura)
- Channel Islands Harbor - Hobie Beach (Oxnard)
- Channel Islands Harbor - Kiddie Beach (Oxnard)
The public is urged to avoid contact with ocean water in areas 50 yards or closer to each posted warning sign on beaches.
The Ventura County Environmental Health Division will continue testing to ensure water quality meets state standards.
The advisory remains in effect for at least three days after the end of rainfall.
The spill, one of many to have occurred across the Southland in the last week, likely came as the result of a massive deluge of rain in the area early in the week, according to authorities. This week's storm is just one of 11 "atmospheric rivers" to hit California since the end of 2022.
For additional information on beach closures, call the Ocean Water Quality Monitoring Program hotline at (805) 662-6555 or visit the Ventura County Resource Management Agency website.
Beaches in Long Beach and Orange County were closed beginning Wednesday due to similar sewage spills.
