CNN —Around 250,000 gallons of sewage was spilled into the Los Angeles River on Thursday, causing the closure of seven miles of public beaches, according to local authorities. The malfunction caused a blockage that resulted in an overflow of sewage in the city of Downey, which is about 15 miles from Long Beach, resulting in a spill that reached the Los Angeles River, the release said. The city of Long Beach announced in a news release that all open coastal swimming areas would be temporarily closed due to the spill. “Water from the Los Angeles River connects to the Pacific Ocean in Long Beach, which means pollution anywhere upriver can affect the coastal waters of the City,” the city said in the release. Health authorities with the city of Long Beach are “currently monitoring water quality” on the beaches.

---