A day after a sewage spill forced its closure, Huntington Harbour has reopened after lab tests concluded that the water meets acceptable health standards, officials said Friday.

“All of the harbour is open and free to use,” said Anthony Martinez, water quality program manager with the Orange County Health Care Agency.

It was originally estimated that 60,000 gallons of sewage had spilled into the harbour, but that was downgraded to 49,000 gallons, said Martinez, water quality program manager with the Orange County Health Care Agency.

Preliminary information shows the spill was caused when a main sewer line in nearby Stanton got blocked, causing sewage to seep out of the nearest manhole, he said. It was not known what caused the blockage, but tree branches or roots are often at fault, he said.


On Thursday, the Environmental Health division of the county Health Care Agency closed the harbor area, which encompasses Anaheim Bay, Sunset Aquatic Marina, Portofino Cove, Anderson Street Marina, Mother’s Beach and Admiralty Drive.

Health workers spent the day collecting water samples in the area.

Visitors can check the agency’s website for future updates.