Stretch of coast in Laguna Beach closed after 2,000-gallon sewage spill

A stretch of the coast at Thalia Beach in Laguna Beach is closed after a 2,000-gallon sewage spill.

Health officials from the Orange County Care Agency issued an ocean water closure on Thursday after 2,000 gallons of sewage spilled into the waters, caused by a malfunction of a force main sewer line pump.

The closure spans a quarter mile upcoast to a quarter mile downcoast of Anita Street at Thalia Beach.

"The first thing I noticed was the smell, because I was walking him down the beach, and I just noticed, like, this awful sewage smell," surfer Rahul Keswani said.

Officials said the area will remain closed to ocean water contact sports for at least three days until results of follow-up water quality monitoring meet acceptable standards.

Officials urge the public to avoid entering the water in the impacted area and to follow posted signs.