SAN DIEGO — Beach goers were warned Friday to get out of the ocean in Pacific Beach over a large sewage spill that ran off into the water. Officials announced Saturday afternoon the beach closure has been lifted.
"Sampling confirms these areas are safe for water contact," the statement reads.
The closure happened at Pacific Beach just south of the famous Tourmaline Beach Surf Spot all the way past Crystal Pier. 25,000 gallons of sewage spilled into the water there Friday afternoon.
When CBS 8 first got to the area around 4:30 p.m. Friday, families were playing in the water and surfers were catching waves. But by sunset, lifeguards had driven along the coastline warning people of the sewage spill and almost everyone had gotten out.
It was a perfect beach day ruined by a man-made sewage spill.
One beach goer told us, “It sucks. But I can’t really stay out of the water. It’s part of life here.”
The city says a vandalized sewer manhole near Missouri Street caused the spill. Sewage overflowed into the street, down into the storm drains, out onto the beach, and into the water.
Approximately 25,000 gallons flowed into the ocean.
One surfer told CBS 8 the lifeguard told he and others about the contamination and not to go into the ocean today. He did suggest another stretch of ocean a little more north.
Surfer Patrick Campbell decided to just go home.
“I don’t feel like getting sick. I don’t want to chance it,” Campbell said.
WATCH RELATED: Imperial Beach residents say it's getting harder to deal with sewage spillage
