Pismo Beach spill dumps 120 gallons of sewage into the street, storm drain and sea

A residential sewer line burst in Pismo Beach on Friday, releasing over a hundred gallons of sewage onto the street and into a nearby storm drain, according to a news release from the San Luis Obispo Public Health Department on Friday.

Approximately 120 gallons of wastewater flowed into the drain that leads to the Pacific Ocean, according to the release. City of Pismo Beach Utilities personnel are working on repairs and cleanup.

An ocean water sample was collected for testing at the nearest beach access point at South Beachcomber Drive.

“Beach-goers should avoid contacting the ocean water near this outlet until sample results indicate acceptable levels of bacteria,” the SLO County Environmental Health Services Division advised in the release.

For more information about beach water quality, please visit the Public Health Department Beach Water Quality website at SurfSafeSLO.org or call the Ocean Water Monitoring Program Telephone Hotline at 805-788-3411.

This story was originally published July 19, 2024 at 5:13 PM.

Chloe Shrager

The Tribune

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Chloe Shrager is the courts and crimes reporter for The Tribune. She grew up in Palo Alto, California, and graduated from Stanford with a B.A. in Political Science. When not writing, she enjoys surfing, backpacking, skiing and hanging out with her cat, Billy Goat.