Sewage spill prompts Del Mar beach closures

Beaches between 7th and 9th streets are expected to remain closed through the morning of Oct. 17 after an estimated 4,200 gallons of sewage washed into the ocean on Oct. 14.

City crews responded immediately to reports of an overflow from a manhole on the 100 block of Eighth Street at about 11:20 a.m. and were able to limit flows into the storm drains.

Workers tried to remove a blockage causing the overflow for about three hours, until they were able to use heavier equipment provided by the city of Encinitas to successfully stop the leak around 2:15 p.m., according to Del Mar Director of Community Services Jon Edelbrock.

Lifeguards closed affected beaches immediately.

About 4,200 gallons of sewage flowed onto the beach. Workers were able to contain much of it and vacuum it up, but the beach between Seventh Street and Ninth Street was set to be closed as a precaution for the next 72 hours while the water is tested for contaminants, Edelbrock said.

The County Department of Environmental Health is in charge of testing the water quality and will determine when the beach can be reopened.

— Submitted news release. City News Service also contributed to this report.