Gross! Updated Published (Lita Martinez) All swimming areas in Long Beach, west of Belmont Pier, are closed after a sewage spill contaminated the water. The state says the spill was caused by construction work on a sewer line in Los Angeles...about 26,000 gallons of sewage made its way into the Los Angeles River, before flowing out to the ocean. Teams from the city of Long Beach are monitoring the water quality along the affected beaches, which will reopen when the water quality meets state standards. Note that there are four possible levels for beach access. According to the city's website they are: