(January 17, 2005) -- Following last week's rain-propelled 40,000 gallon per hour dischare of raw sewage from L.A., which travelled down the L.A. river and impacted LB beach waters, LB's Acting Public Health officer, Dr. Helene Calvet, MD has lifted a beach closure advisory today (Jan. 17) that has been in effect since Jan. 10 for LB beaches.

LB's Dept. of Health & Human Services says its tests confirm that ocean bacteria levels have declined and now meet CA state standards.

In a written release, LB's Health Dept. said it tested local waters daily after the sewage spill...and reopened the beaches having concluded that ocean bacteria levels are safe for swimming.

The LB Health Dept. says it will continue water quality monitoring to determine the bacteriological content of contamination in the beach waters and additional advisories will be issued as necessary.

Further information can be obtained from LB's Health Dept. Water Quality Information Line at (562) 570-4199, or on the Department's website.