Sewage spill soils Del Monte beach

Del Monte Beach in Monterey is closed until the water becomes safe again because of sewage spilling into the nearby storm drain system, Monterey County Health Department officials said Thursday.

Monterey fire officials reported this morning to the Environmental Health Bureau that the sewage spilled into drains on Casa Verde Way at Del Monte Avenue, health department officials said. The spill is estimated to be as much as 1,500 gallons.

Samples that indicate that the water is safe again for contact will be the green light for the beach to open back up again because contact with the contaminated water could cause gastroenteritis and/or other water-borne illnesses, according to the health department.

For more information on Monterey Peninsula beaches, people can call a toll-free hotline at (800) 347-6363 or visit http://www.mtyhd.org/beaches.