All remaining coastal and river beaches affected by last week’s Russian River wastewater spill have now been cleared for public use, Sonoma County officials said Monday.
The notice follows several days of water quality testing after a powerful storm overwhelmed a treatment plant in Guerneville.
The spill occurred Jan. 6 when heavy rainfall inundated the Russian River County Sanitation District plant on Neeley Road, sending untreated wastewater through a forest toward the Russian River.
Sonoma Water said flows reached roughly 4 million gallons per day, exceeding the plant’s average dry-weather capacity of 710,000 gallons per day. As a precaution, advisories were issued urging residents to avoid contact with river and coastal waters due to the risk of bacteria and other pathogens.
Beaches back up to safety standards
On Monday, Sonoma County Environmental Health department officials lifted the advisories after days of sampling confirmed that water quality at Goat Rock, Stillwater, Black Point, Gualala and river beaches at Johnson’s, Monte Rio and Patterson Point met state recreational health standards.
The announcement marked the official reopening of all monitored beaches impacted by the incident.
Despite the all-clear, county health officials continue to urge caution. Environmental Health Director Christine Sosko advised people and pets to avoid contact with ocean and river water for at least 72 hours following significant rainfall, noting that winter storms routinely increase contamination risks due to stormwater runoff.
Beachgoers are also encouraged to rinse themselves, children and pets after water contact, a recommendation that applies year-round. Officials said ongoing updates and information related to the spill and water conditions remain available through Sonoma Water’s website.