Three coastal beaches in Sonoma County were cleared for public use Friday, days after heavy rains led to more than 5.5 million gallons of raw sewage being spilled into the Russian River.

Water tests from Doran, Campbell Cove and Salmon Creek beaches all came back within acceptable ranges and those beaches are now safe to visit, according to the Sonoma County Environmental Health department.

People are still being told to stay out of the water at Gualala, Black Point, Stillwater and Goat Rock beaches until more test results come back, which could happen as soon as Monday.

Beaches on the Russian River downstream from the Russian River County Sanitation District treatment plant spill in Guerneville are still off-limits, as well, according to health officials. The plant on Neeley Road was overwhelmed during heavy rains Tuesday night, and officials with Sonoma Water have put initial estimates of the spill at 5,507,000 gallons.

Beach-goers are still being told to wash ocean and river water off of themselves, children and pets after being in the water, as is recommended even when the water is considered safe.

“Winter storms typically stir up a variety of bacterial contaminants, so getting into the habit of rinsing off is a good practice,” said the county’s interim health officer, Dr. Michael Stacey.

Updates about the spill and water conditions are available on the Sonoma Water website.

Kiley Russell writes primarily for Local News Matters on issues related to equity and the environment. A Bay Area native, he has lived most of his life in Oakland. He studied journalism at San Francisco State University, worked for the Associated Press and the former Contra Costa Times, among other outlets. He has covered everything from state legislatures, local governments, federal and state courts, crime, growth and development, political campaigns of various stripes, wildfires and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.