Update: Newport Bay Reopened Following Sewage Spill

Health officials lifted a water closure that was in effect for a section of Newport Bay following a sewage spill, the Orange County Health Care Agency’s Ocean Water Protection Program reported.

On Sunday, the agency removed Wednesday's water closure at the bay water area at Bayside Drive from the Balboa Island Bridge at Marine Avenue, to Harbor Patrol Beach and the East Bay Front of Balboa Island.

It is now safe to swim and dive in the area, officials said.

Last week's water closure was issued after about 2,800 gallons of raw sewage spilled into the bay following a sewer line break, according to county health spokeswoman Tricia Landquist. The line break was caused by dredging equipment in the harbor that grabbed onto and broke the primary sewer line that serves all of Balboa Island, city officials reported.

The line was immediately shutdown from service. City crews, with help from Irvine Ranch Water District, Orange County Sanitation District and the Costa Mesa Sanitation District, used large vactor trucks and worked around the clock to transport sewer waste off the Island.

A new valve was also installed and a specialized commercial dive company is investigating the damage and will work with city staff to develop a repair plan.