Sewage spill closes Arches Marina

-- Noaki Schwartz

NEWPORT BEACH -- Arches Marina was closed Friday because of a sewage

spill resulting from a blocked pipeline.

The problem started within the Park Superior Health Care sewage system.

The resulting spill allowed sewage to reach a storm drain and eventually

ended up in the marina, officials said.

Monica Mazur, an environmental health specialist with the county, said

the marina has had consistent problems with urban runoff contaminating

the water. There is a permanently posted sign there warning residents of

high bacteria levels.

Although there aren’t many swimmers in the marina during the winter,

Mazur said it was closed primarily because officials were concerned about

underwater boat cleaners who are regularly in the water.

“We don’t want them to be exposed to it,” she said.

The county took more samples Monday and will announce their findings

soon.

Last week, three beaches in Corona del Mar were closed after tree-root

growth caused a sewer line to rupture.