If you’re headed down to San Clemente to hit the water today, stay away from North Beach where a sewage spill has closed a portion of the beach.

The Orange County Health Agency closed the beach as of 8:30 a.m. today, an area that includes 150 feet upcoast and 150 feet downcoast of the Pico storm drain.

The  area is closed to swimming, surfing and diving.

The spill occured when a piece of debris got  stuck in a valve at the sewage treatment plant, said Director of Public Works David Lund.

The city was able to catch about 100 gallons of sewage before it reached the beach, but 50 gallons made its way into the water.

“I can’t imagine it will be closed for very long, but we’ll leave that up to the County health department,” he said.

 Lifeguard supervisor Kevin Hoy said signs are posted where beachgoers are restricted.

For more info on beach closures and bacteria levels at your beach, go to ocbeachinfo.com

More news from the Beach Blog:

More stories from the Beach Blog:

• May-Treanor wins 100th career event

• Lots of Talent Expected at the U.S. Open of Surfing

• Daily Wave Check

• Icons to be honored at Huntington Beach Surfing Walk of Fame announced
• More drunks on the sand and rescues in HB for the world to see
• Blue whale spotted offshore
• Blackball is in effect – do you know where you can surf?
• Shark attacks woman on kayak at Catalina, knocks her off in front of her kids
• More drunks on the sand and rescues in HB for the world to see
• Get out: Kayaking Huntington Harbour
• Blackball is in effect – do you know where you can surf?
• Holiday on the coast brings crowds and a plane crash
• HB Surf Museum to celebrate 20 years
• State cracks down on San Onofre nude beach

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