All but two beaches in Alamitos Bay were reopened to the public Wednesday after a sewage leak prompted health officials to bar recreational access, pending results from water samples taken around the Naples and Belmont Shore area.

After reviewing samples taken Monday and Tuesday, health officials have authorized the reopening of waters at Colorado Lagoon, Marine Stadium, Bayshore Beach at Second Street and the Bayshore Float, said Nelson Kerr, Long Beach environmental health bureau manager.

Kerr said health workers and firefighters are removing warning signs from several of the affected beaches.

The waters at Mothers Beach and 56th Place will remain closed for further monitoring, Kerr said, explaining that samples taken Tuesday at Mothers Beach had bacterial levels above state standards. Samples taken Tuesday at 56th Place came back clean, he said, but there were elevated levels of bacteria in that area on Monday; health officials require two consecutive days of clean testing before they will reopen the waters.

Long Beach Fire Department officials on Monday discovered what appeared to be wastewater leaking from a seawall along Marina Drive at about 7 a.m., according to a city announcement. Kerr said the leak was contained at 1 p.m., and during that time officials estimate 7,500 gallons of sewage was discharged into the bay.

The source of the spill is still under investigation.

For the latest status on beach and bay closures or postings, call the Beach Advisory and Closure Hotline at 562-570-4199.

Read the rest here:

Long Beach reopens most beaches after sewage spill; 2 remain closed - Long Beach Press Telegram