A sewage spill out of San Luis Obispo’s treatment plant that fouled San Luis Creek and triggered health warnings in Avila Beach, was downsized considerably by the County.
According to County Environmental health, at about 12:40 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 13, “a release of partially treated wastewater mixed with diluted rainwater began at a treatment facility due to the storm surge event.”
That morning a fierce rain squall blew through the area dumping several inches of rain in a short time, which is being blamed for the sewage spill.
Originally, plant workers estimated the spill at 50,000 gallons, but on Feb. 14, the County downsized that to 7,800 gallons.
Nevertheless, the County reaffirmed a health hazard warning it issued the day of the spill. San Luis Creek runs through Avila Valley and empties into the ocean in Avila Beach proper.
“Environmental Health Services advises that beach goers should avoid contacting the ocean water at the creek outfall at Avila Beach until sample results indicate acceptable levels of bacteria,” reads the warning. It took until about 1 p.m. for the plant to stop the spill.
After the update on the extent of the spill on Valentine’s Day, the County stuck by its warning.
“The original recommendations about avoiding ocean water contact following this spill and the recent rainfall remain unchanged.”
The affected area included the mouth of the creek and along the shoreline up and down to the Avila Pier.
The normal advisories are to avoid the water for three days after the end of a rainstorm to give the ocean time to wash away the bacteria.
“Contact with storm water while swimming or surfing,” the County said, “may increase the risk for certain types of illnesses such as rashes, fever, chills, ear infections, vomiting, and diarrhea.”
“Rainstorm runoff,” the County continued, “is known to transport high levels of disease-causing organisms such as bacteria, viruses and protozoa from the watershed and urban areas to the ocean. Such organisms carried into the ocean can cause skin, respiratory, and intestinal problems.
“Young children, older adults, and people with compromised immune systems are especially vulnerable to these waterborne pathogens.”
For more information about beach water quality, see the Public Health Department Beach Water Quality website at” SurfSafeSLO.org or call the Ocean Water Monitoring Program Telephone Hotline at (805) 788-3411.
For media inquiries, contact the City of San Luis Obispo Wastewater Treatment Plant at 805-431-3808.
