Beaches north of Oceanside were closed today after an estimated 18,000 gallons of sewage spilled near the Santa Margarita River.
About 4:40 a.m. Sunday, a vehicle crashed into a sewer pipe on Camp Pendleton, prompting the spill, according to the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health.
Crews were able to recover about 8,000 gallons from the spill but an estimated 10,000 gallons of sewage drained into the river, said county spokesman Mark McPherson.
Signs warning of contamination will remain posted in the area until follow-up testing shows the water to be safe, McPherson said.
