313 N. Figueroa Street, Room 806 | Los Angeles, CA 90012
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For Immediate Release:
June 18, 2013
SEWAGE SPILL ADVISORY:
Avoid Ocean Water at 19830 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu
LOS ANGELES - The Department of Public Health has posted warning signs advising beach visitors, swimmers, and surfers to avoid the ocean water 50-yards up coast and down coast of the address at 19830 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu. Los Angeles County health officials were notified today that unknown amount of sewage may have entered ocean waters at 19830 Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. Beach closure signs are posted as a precautionary measure.
The beach closure will be in effect until at least 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 20, 2013, pending test results that measure the bacteria level in the ocean water. Water samples will be taken tomorrow and Thursday.
"We are asking people to avoid entering or swimming in the ocean in the area immediately surrounding 19830 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu," said Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, Director of Public Health and County Health Officer. "Our first priority is to protect the health and safety of the people who visit the beach and water areas. Once we determine bacteria levels in the water have returned to normal, we will remove the beach advisory."
Public Health was notified by the City of Malibu earlier today regarding the discharge.
Recorded information on beach conditions is available around the clock on the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Ocean Water Quality Hotline at 1-800-525- 5662 and online at www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/beach.
The Department of Public Health is committed to protecting and improving the health of the nearly 10 million residents of Los Angeles County. Through a variety of programs, community partnerships and services, Public Health oversees environmental health, disease control, and community and family health. Public Health comprises nearly 4,000 employees and has an annual budget exceeding $750 million. To learn more about Public Health and the work we do please visit http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov, visit our YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/lapublichealth, find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/lapublichealth, or follow us on Twitter: @LAPublicHealth.
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