LONG BEACH Almost a week after a sewage spill forced beach closures on eastside shorelines, many beaches were still closed Friday.

Health officials said the sites could reopen as early as Saturday, after water tests Thursday were clear of contamination.

An estimated 1,000 gallons of sewage contaminated Alamitos Bay following a spill from a private sewer system that began Sept. 29.

The spill initially resulted in the closure Sunday of Mother's Beach and Marine Stadium. However, additional testing resulted in other beach closures in Alamitos Bay and parts of Seal Beach later in the week.

Ocean-facing beaches in Long Beach, as well as the Colorado Lagoon swimming area, remained open to public swimming.

The spill originated with a homeowners association complex at Bixby Terrace Drive area near Seventh Street and the Cerritos Channel, according to Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services environmental health specialist Nelson Kerr.

He said health workers have been testing the water daily, and they'll keep the recreational water areas closed until two consecutive test results show no contamination.

Earlier in the week, the Health Department was still finding "hot spots" of bacteria contamination, Kerr said. By Friday, the water quality was improving.

"The test results looked good," Kerr said about Thursday's samples.

Officials continued to keep close tabs on the situation Friday, taking samples from the

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Alamitos Bay beaches could reopen Saturday, one week after sewage spill