July 26, 2006

 

The eastern beaches of Mission Bay were closed to swimmers and other recreational users on July 25th. High levels of bacteria were found in the water that might be connected to a sewage spill earlier this month.

Crews from the Wastewater Department started posting signs at noon while lifeguards evacuated the water.

Environmental officials recommended the closure after speculating that the increased levels of contamination found in the water after July 5th could be related to the sewage spill. Scott Tulloch, director of the Metropolitan Wastewater Department, told the Union-Tribune that the source of the spill is unknown, and cannot confirm that the spill and contamination are related.

The beaches will be closed until the bay’s waters test clean two days in a row.

The spill is thought to have originated from a private sewage line near a mobile home park. Officials have tested the waters five times since the 5th, with varied results.

The western end of Mission Bay is not affected, and boaters are still allowed to use both sides of the bay. Officials are recommending that people refrain from entering the water, but should not worry if they have been exposed recently.