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MARINA DEL REY (CNS) - A 24,000-gallon sewage spill prompted health officials Wednesday to close Mothers Beach in Marina del Rey and portions of Venice city and Dockweiler state beaches.
According to the county Department of Public Health, the spill was caused by a blocked line that sent sewage into the storm drain system at Admiralty Way and Palawan Way in Marina del Rey.
Health officials advised people, until further notice, to avoid the ocean water or wet sand at Mothers Beach in the marina, at Venice Beach a half- mile north of the marina entrance, and at Dockweiler beach a half-mile south of Ballona Creek.
Health officials said the closures will remain in place until daily water sampling shows bacterial levels that are within health standards.
Los Angeles County Public Works sewer maintenance crew members responding to the scene of the spill contained approximately 3,000 gallons on site, but the remaining sewage discharge is believed to have reached storm drains that lead to the ocean, according to Kerjon Lee, the department's chief, strategic communications.
The spill was initially estimated to be 66,000 gallons.