A large sewage spill has prompted public health officials to close a section of shoreline at Goleta Beach Park.

“The spill involved a release of approximately 500,000 gallons of sewage from a damaged force main sewer line near the Santa Barbara Airport to the Goleta Slough during the recent rain event,” according to a press release Thursday from the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department.

Goleta Beach — from one mile east to a half mile west of the Goleta Slough outfall at the east end of the park — has been closed to recreational water contact.

The affected area has been posted with signs warning the public to avoid all contact with the water until sample results indicate it is safe for recreational use.

Access to the beach itself is still allowed.

Contact with sewage-contaminated water increases the risk for certain types of illnesses, such as rashes, fever, chills, ear infections, vomiting, and diarrhea, officials said. 

“To minimize potential health risks, do not swim, play or surf in the ocean and creeks for at least three days following a rain event,” the release states. “Beachgoers should also avoid areas near the outfall from drainpipes and creeks that enter the ocean following a rain event as storm water runoff may carry high levels of bacteria and pollutants.”

County Supervisor Laura Capps, who represents the area, responded to the incident.

“I’m concerned about this massive spill at one of our county’s beloved beaches,” she told Noozhawk. “I am working with county Public Health and the Goleta West Sanitary District to understand the cause and solutions to prevent future incidents.”

The east end of the Goleta Beach park is currently closed off “due to emergency storm response and beach nourishment operations,” according to the county Public Works Department.

The operations involve sediment from the Goleta Slough watersheds only, said Lael Wageneck, the department’s public information officer.

“The flood-control channels surrounding the Santa Barbara Airport, Old Town Goleta, and parts of the Eastern Goleta Valley have accumulated excess sediment due to winter storms,” Wageneck said. “The channels and basins are designed to capture sediment and floodwaters to protect the community.

“However, the sediment must be removed to regain flood control protection. Goleta Beach is the designated transport site for the sediment to be re-purposed as beach nourishment.”

Access to the Goleta Beach Pier and parts of Goleta Beach Park will be intermittently closed for public safety, Wageneck said, adding that  park visitors and members of the public traveling along the Obern Trail should practice safety and yield to trucks and other heavy equipment in the area.

Click here for details on the emergency beach operations.