Plum Island Beach Closed to Swimming Until Further Notice 

NEWBURYPORT — City of Newburyport Director of Public Health Kelechi Obika shares that Plum Island Beach is closed to swimming until further notice: 

“Earlier today, the City announced that Plum Island Beach would reopen for swimming following the expiration of the 48-hour precautionary closure associated with the June 25 sanitary sewer overflow upstream in Haverhill.

“Late last night, during the heavy downpours that impacted the region, the City of Haverhill discovered a break in a 42-inch sewer force main near its main pumping station. As crews investigated the damage today, a second break was identified, confirming an ongoing discharge of untreated wastewater to the Merrimack River.

“Because this is now an active discharge, the City of Newburyport is closing Plum Island Beach to swimming effective immediately and until further notice.

“This closure is being implemented out of an abundance of caution to protect public health while the discharge is stopped, repairs are completed, and conditions can be fully evaluated.

“The Newburyport Health Department is actively coordinating with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, regional partners, and Haverhill officials. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and will reopen the beach for swimming as soon as water quality conditions are assured to be safe.

“We appreciate the public’s patience and understanding as we work with our state and regional partners to monitor this situation, protect public health, and safely reopen the beach as soon as conditions allow.”