April 1, 2002

Signs warning of sewage contamination were posted at Pepper Park in National City yesterday after a 16,600-gallon sewage spill in Paradise Hills.

Officials said vandals caused the spill on Calle Abajo. The spill entered a storm drain that empties into the Sweetwater River about three miles from San Diego Bay.

The spill began at 1:42 p.m. City of San Diego Metropolitan Wastewater crews contained it 31/2 hours later and were working to free the blockage last night.