465,000-gallon sewage spill threatens California beaches

A recent sewage spill near Laguna Niguel Regional Park serves as a stark reminder of why we must repair our water infrastructure. An estimated 465,000 gallons of raw sewage poured into the waters, triggering beach closures from Laguna Beach’s Treasure Island to Aliso Viejo’s Table Rock. The spill forced swimmers, divers, and surfers out of the water. Sewage spills are damaging in several ways.

Making People Sick

Sewage spills carry harmful bacteria and pathogens, which can make both children and adults sick. Swimming in polluted water can lead to gastrointestinal issues, respiratory infections, ear and eye problems, and skin rashes. Though most go unreported, approximately 57 million cases of illness occur every year in the U.S. from swimming in polluted waters.

Harming Ocean Wildlife 

Beyond human health, sewage spills harm the environment. Sewage spills like the one near Laguna Niguel can also harm ocean  wildlife. Nitrogen and phosphorus in sewage  can cause algal blooms that deplete oxygen levels in the water, suffocating fish and other aquatic life. Coral reefs, already under pressure from rising ocean temperatures, become more vulnerable to coral bleaching when exposed to polluted water.

A repeat problem

These kinds of events aren’t one-off incidents. They’re symptoms of a much larger problem: we’re paving over more and more of our natural landscapes, reducing our environment’s ability to deal with stormwater and putting pressure on outdated sewage systems. Our sewage systems, built decades ago, weren’t designed to handle the population growth and climate stress of today, and areas that could help absorb overflows, like wetlands, are becoming fewer and farther between. Crumbling pipes and old treatment plants often fail to contain sewage during heavy rains or equipment malfunctions, leading to spills. Add to that the increasing runoff pollution from urban areas, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster. In 2022 alone, there were more than 8,700 warnings or closures at U.S. beaches. And according to a study done by Environment America’s Research and Policy Center, more than half of U.S. beaches were found to have potentially unsafe levels of fecal contamination as determined by the EPA on at least one day in 2022.

What can we do to make our waters safe for swimming?

So, how do we stop these spills from happening again? The solution is simple but urgent: we need to upgrade our water systems. This means replacing old, leaky pipes, upgrading treatment plants, and investing in natural infrastructure—like protecting and restoring wetlands that can absorb runoff. This will ensure that sewage is contained, treated, and disposed of safely, preventing future spills from endangering our health and our environment.

Upgrading the pipes and systems that handle our water won’t just prevent sewage spills—it will also help protect our beaches and local wildlife, and keep our waters clean and safe for swimming. With overwhelming transpartisan support from the public, this is a clear solution that protects public health, preserves marine life, and prevents long-term damage to the environment. Congress must prioritize funding for this essential infrastructure.