Southern California beaches closed after massive sewage spill

Health officials closed several Southern California beaches after a massive sewage spill last week reached swimming areas. Beaches in Los Angeles County and the city of Long Beach were closed temporarily pending water quality tests

"We will be working with health officials over the coming days to monitor water quality to determine when beaches are safe to reopen and assess environmental impacts," the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts said in a statement. "Our top priority is the health and safety of the impacted communities and we will continue our efforts until all health and environmental issues are addressed."

The spill was first reported on December 30 after a sewer collapsed in the city of Carson, following an intense rainstorm in the region. Officials said there was no threat to public health and property, but said untreated wastewater and sewage overflowed into a nearby storm drain, went through the Dominguez Channel and emptied into the Los Angeles Harbor.