City Health Officer Dr. Helene Calvet announced that the closure of Colorado Lagoon has been lifted following laboratory test results confirming bacteria levels in the lagoon have improved to meet State standards. The City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) has been testing the waters in the lagoon daily since Monday, October 13, in response to a an estimated 1,200 gallon sewage spill on Saturday, October 11. The spill was due to a sewer line backup at Pacific Coast Highway and Santiago Street, which flowed into the storm drain system and eventually entered the lagoon.
Recreational water quality monitoring will continue to be conducted by the Health Department’s Water Quality Program to determine the bacteriological content of the contamination in the beach waters. Additional advisories will be issued as necessary.
Further information about the water quality in Long Beach may be obtained from the Department of Health and Human Services Water Quality Information Line, 562.570.4199, or from the Department’s website at longbeach.gov/health.