Massive Sewage Spill Closes Seven Miles of California Beaches: From Sewer to Shoreline

Seven miles of California beaches will stay closed until next week because of a massive sewage spillage on Thursday.

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The spill occurred when a blockage caused the sewer main line to overflow, according to the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services.

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There was a malfunction in equipment used by sanitation maintenance crews that caused the sewage spill on Thursday morning.

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The spill initially occurred in Downey, a city situated 15 miles from Long Beach.

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However, the spill somehow managed to reach the Los Angeles River.

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Water from the Los Angeles River connects to the Pacific Ocean in Long Beach, meaning pollution upriver can impact the city's coastal waters.

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Sewage also overflowed into the streets, according to the agency.

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Once the department gets two consecutive clean samples, beaches will reopen.

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