A significant sewage spill in the affluent Southern California area of Laguna Beach has led to the closure of a popular beach over the Fourth of July weekend.
Authorities have restricted access to Thalia Beach following a 2,000-gallon sewage spill caused by a malfunctioning sewer line pump on Thursday.
The Orange County Health Care Agency announced in an X post that the coastal area from 0.25 miles upcoast to 0.25 miles downcoast of Anita Street at Thalia Beach in Laguna Beach is closed to swimming, surfing, and diving until further notice due to the sewage spill.
The coastline will remain closed for at least three days to ocean water activities, pending the results of follow-up water quality tests meeting acceptable standards.
OC Supervisor Katrina Foley informed KTLA that they are closely monitoring an active sewage spill of approximately 2,000 gallons in Laguna Beach, attributed to a failure in a force main sewer line pump.
The Orange County Environmental Health department is currently evaluating water quality and determining the necessary extent of beach and ocean closures over the holiday weekend.
Residents and visitors are advised to stay out of the water in the affected area until further notice.
