OAKLAND — Warning signs to avoid swimming or touching sewage-tainted water in the Oakland Estuary near Jack London Square were taken down Tuesday after tests showed the water is safe again.

The East Bay Municipal Utility District first posted the signs Dec. 13 after heavy rain led to an overflow of untreated but highly diluted sewage into the estuary near Alice Street, said district spokeswoman Jenesse Miller.

During heavy storms on Dec.10 and 15, rain penetrated into openings in aging lateral sewage pipes on private properties, overwhelming the capacity of the sewage system. As a result, effluent overflowed through an outlet pipe into the estuary.

While few people swim in the estuary in December, EBMUD officials wanted to warn boaters and people walking dogs along the estuary not to allow people or pets to make contact with the water.

EBMUD and several East Bay cities have a long term plan to work with homeowners over several decades to replace leaky lateral pipes that contribute to wet weather overflows.