A sewage spill that forced the closure of a section of Laguna Beach is expected to keep swimmers out of the water through the Fourth of July holiday weekend, officials said Friday.

The Orange County Health Care Agency closed ocean waters extending one-quarter mile north and one-quarter mile south of Anita Street at Thalia Beach after approximately 2,000 gallons of sewage spilled into the ocean Thursday because of a malfunctioning force main sewer line pump.

KTLA’s Chip Yost reported Friday morning that warning signs had been posted at beach access points, prompting some visitors to turn around after learning the affected stretch of coastline was closed.

“They are telling people not to go in the water right now,” Yost said during a live report. “About 2,000 gallons of sewage spilled into the water. It appears they say it was some sort of issue with a pump that went bad or malfunctioned.”

The closure affects roughly a half-mile stretch of beach centered around Anita Street. While officials are advising people to stay out of the ocean in the impacted area, other beaches in Laguna Beach remain open.

Yost said Main Beach, just north of the closure, was crowded Friday morning with holiday visitors.

The Orange County Health Care Agency said the affected waters will remain closed to ocean water contact for at least three days and until follow-up water quality testing confirms the water meets state health standards.

The closure means the affected section of beach will likely remain off-limits to swimmers for most, if not all, of the busy holiday weekend.

“We’re closely monitoring an active sewage spill of approximately 2,000 gallons in Laguna Beach, caused by a malfunction of a force main sewer line pump,” Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley said in a statement Thursday. “Orange County Environmental Health is assessing water quality and determining the extent of necessary beach and ocean closures over the holiday weekend.”

Health officials are urging the public to obey posted closure signs and avoid entering the water until the closure is lifted. Additional information about Orange County beach closures is available through the Orange County Health Care Agency.