(July 16, 2008) -- LB's Health Dept. has reopened Alamitos Bay area beaches and Colorado Lagoon to swimmers BUT CAVEAT: a NEW sewage spill has affected Colorado Lagoon which is now subject to a new official "advisory" (less than an enforced water closure)

In a release, City Hall says LB's Acting City Health Officer, Dr. Irene Grace, today (July 16) lifted a beach closure in Alamitos Bay and Colorado Lagoon (due to a sewage spill Sunday night).

BUT a NEW advisory was issued on Wednesday morning (July 16) for Colorado Lagoon "due to elevated bacterial levels that appear to be unrelated to the spill."

What's the difference between closing beach waters and an advisory. "Beach closures are enforced but advisories are public notices recommending that people avoid water contact when bacterial levels reach certain levels...although the beach remains open to the public," says the release.

Regarding the reopened beaches: "Laboratory test results for potentially affected sites in Alamitos Bay were within State standards for the second consecutive day, after an estimated 300 gallons of raw sewage spilled into the bay at Mother's Beach due to a blocked sewer main on Sunday evening. Colorado Lagoon was closed at the time due to its proximity and water flow between the two bodies of water. Water quality monitoring will continue to be performed by the Health Department's Recreational Water Quality Program on a weekly basis," LB's Health Dept. says.