SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — An official with the City of San Diego confirmed Thursday that a sewage spill of around 550 gallons impacted the coastal area of La Jolla Wednesday morning.

Donna Durckel, a communications officer for the city’s Land Use and Environment Group, said the cause appears to be a blockage in the city’s sewer line. This caused sewage to spill out onto the street in the area of 8556 El Paseo Grande and into the storm drain, which leads to the Pacific Ocean.

Professionals with the city’s Beach and Bay Water Quality Monitoring Program coordinated water sampling at the impacted location, ultimately determining that it was necessary to close access to the water 150 feet north and south of sewage spill area.

Following the sewage spill, the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health and Quality on Wednesday issued a water contact closure that included coastal La Jolla. Specifically, the ocean shoreline from the International Border to the Tijuana River Mouth and El Paseo Grande to 1,000 feet south of Scripps Pier in La Jolla Shores was closed due to sewage in the water as the bacteria levels exceed health standards.

These areas will remain closed until sampling confirms safety for water contact. Durckel said Beach and Bay staff retested the water Thursday morning and are expected to share those results later in the day.

In the meantime, the city’s message to residents is clear: stay out of the water in these areas because it’s considered unsafe. Beach closure signs are up along the sand warning swimmers and surfers to avoid water contact.

FOX 5’s Elizabeth Alvarez contributed to this report.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.