LA Public Health Closes Portions of Will Rogers, Venice, and Dockweiler Beaches

Due to a raw sewage spill, County health officials have closed portions of Will Rogers Beach, Venice Beach, and Dockweiler Beach. The Will Rogers Beach will be closed 100 yards on both sides of the point of discharge to the ocean of Santa Monica Canyon Creek. Venice Beach is closed from the Marina del Rey channel entrance to the ocean to -mile north of the channel. Dockweiler Beach is closed from Ballona Creek to -mile south of Ballona Creek. All three beaches will be closed until at least the afternoon February 8, 2007.

"Los Angeles County residents and visitors to these beach areas should avoid contact with the ocean water near the point of discharge until these portions have been deemed safe to reopen," said Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, Public Health Director and County Health Officer. "We will be conducing water quality assessments to test the level of bacteria in the water. The beaches will remain closed until test results indicate that bacteria levels meet health safety standards."

Los Angeles City Sanitation responded to the Will Rogers Beach discharge at 12:03 p.m., completed clean-up work at 12:40 p.m. and notified the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health at 3:30 p.m. Culver City Public Works responded to discharges leading to Ballona Creek and Venice and Dockweiler beaches at 3:00 p.m., completed clean-up work at 4:00 p.m. and the Department of Public Health was notified at 4:27 p.m.