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33,000 gallons of sewage spilled from California Men’s Colony prison in San Luis Obispo County

sewage spill accident

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. -- The County of San Luis Obispo Public Health Department Environmental Health Services reported a sewage spill at the California's Men's Colony on Thursday morning.

At around 10:13 a.m., approximately 33,000 gallons of sewage was released from the Men's Colony.

Officials say the ultraviolet system lost power at the prison causing the premature spil of the sewage.

The sewage was treated to secondary standards but failed to go through the final UV treatment process.

The spillage impacted Chorro Creek.

According to officials, the sewage spillage was stopped.

The Public Health Department advises staying out of Chorro Creek and estuary.

County representatives from Environmental Health have been on scene to assure appropriate measures were taken to properly clean and sanitize the area.

Signs have been posted in areas impacted by the sewage spill.

In their investigation, the Health Officer of San Luis Obispo County determined that the City has been diligent in their reporting.

There is no determination possible of the legality of the sewage spill because the Regional Water Quality Control Board has the authority over this question.

The likelihood of the sewage spill being harmful is unlikely because County personnel responded to the cleaning and sanitizing of the areas. Not to mention Chorro Creek is difficult for the public to access except in the vicinity of the estuary.

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Julia Nguyen

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