Update: Part of Avila Beach closed after 25,000 gallons of sewage leaked near SLO Creek
Update, 5:38 p.m. A public beach has been closed by health officials after the city of San Luis Obispo substantially increased the estimated amount of sewage released in a main line leak.
The city told county health officials that the amount of sewage released from on Orcutt Street was actually 25,104 gallons, not the 3,500 gallons that had been originally reported.
A revised news release sent around 5:30 p.m. Monday says the area of Avila Beach where San Luis Obispo Creek meets the Pacific Ocean has been posted closed. The creek lets out below the Avila Beach Drive bridge.
The city Public Works Department did not immediately return a call for comment.
Original story: About 3,500 gallons of sewage spilled from a sewer main in a residential neighborhood near San Luis Obispo Creek, the San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department said Monday.
The leak was stopped but it did impact the creek, the agency said, creating a health and safety concern.
County Environmental Health Services reported that the sewage spilled from a 10-inch sewer main in the 1100 block of Orcutt Road in San Luis Obispo between 10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. Monday.
The release was caused by a blockage in the sewer main, according to a Public Health news release.
The blockage has been repaired and the area was cleaned and disinfected, the agency said.
Public Health officials recommend that everyone stay out of the creek following the spill, adding that it’s unlikely anyone will get sick due to clean up efforts and because the impacted area is difficult for the public to access.
Laurie Salo, San Luis Obispo County supervising environmental health specialist, determined that the city of San Luis Obispo was diligent in reporting the release.
Whether the discharge was illegal and the city or anyone else could be fined will be up to the Regional Water Quality Control Board.
This story was originally published March 9, 2020 at 2:17 PM.
