Vice Chair Katrina Foley Releases Statement on Sewage Spill and Closure Impacting Newport Beach

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 3, 2025

Latisha Townsend – Communications Director, Supervisor Foley      
(714) 559-8364 | Latisha.Townsend@ocgov.com

Vice Chair Katrina Foley Releases Statement on Sewage Spill and Closure Impacting Newport Beach

ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA – Orange County Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Katrina Foley released a statement following news that a sewage spill at the Talbert Channel resulted in the closure of ocean waters in Huntington Beach and Newport Beach. The leak has since been resolved. However, some sewage entered the ocean at the mouth of the Santa Ana River, resulting in closures of 2,000 feet north and south of the channel.

“Late last night, Costa Mesa Sanitary District and our Environmental Health Water Quality teams quickly responded to a sewage spill at the Talbert Channel,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “Although the leak has been stopped, out of an abundance of caution, ocean waters between a portion of Huntington Beach and Newport Beach will remain closed until further notice to protect swimmers, surfers and beachgoers. As a matter of public health and safety, I urge residents, visitors, and beachgoers to follow posted signage and avoid contact with ocean water in the affected areas where sewage was released as water quality is assessed. My office continues to monitor and assess potential impacts to residents at the source, and will update as we learn more.”

The sewage spill of approximately 4,000 gallons was caused by a roots and grease blockage of a sewer line in Costa Mesa. Response crews were able to recover approximately 3,000 gallons using vacuum trucks, while an estimated 1,000 gallons remain in the system. The affected ocean water area will remain closed to swimming, surfing, and diving until the results of follow-up water quality monitoring meet acceptable standards.

Members of the public and media can find up-to-date ocean water quality information and closures on the OC Health Care Agency website at ocbeachinfo.com.

To inquire about Supervisor Foley’s media availability, please contact Latisha Townsend at (714) 559-8364.

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Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2022 to represent the newly established District 5, which includes the cities of Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, a large portion of Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Newport Beach, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, as well as the unincorporated areas of Coto de Caza, Emerald Bay, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, Rancho Mission Viejo, Stonecliffe and Wagon Wheel. This is her second term on the Board of Supervisors, where she previously served District 2.   

Vice Chair Foley’s 2025 Board appointments include:

Chair – Orange County Housing Finance Trust,

Orange County Audit Oversight Committee,

Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA),

Vice Chair – OCTA Legislative and Communications Committee,

Regional Transportation Committee,

Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency,

Transportation Corridor Agency (TCA),

TCA Joint Capital Improvements and Projects Committee,

San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) Community Engagement Panel,

Co-Chair – Spent Fuel Solutions Coalition,

Orange County Public Libraries Advisory Board, Coastal Greenbelt Authority,