The Merrimack Valley Public Health Alliance is advising residents that a combined sewer overflow in Haverhill has resulted in untreated wastewater entering the Merrimack River, prompting swimming closures at several North Shore beaches, including Plum Island Beach.
On Saturday, June 27, a sewer main malfunction in Haverhill caused an ongoing combined sewer overflow (CSO) into the Merrimack River. Out of an abundance of caution, state and local officials have closed several beaches to swimming while water quality testing continues.
At this time, Plum Island Beach, which spans Newbury and Newburyport, is closed to swimming until further notice. These closures were implemented to protect the health and safety of residents and visitors.
MVPHA and its local partners are working closely with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), regional partners and Haverhill officials to monitor the situation.
The state continues to test and monitor water quality, and updates will be provided as they become available. Drinking water is not affected by this incident.
Combined sewer overflows occur when heavy flows or infrastructure failures cause a combined sewer system to discharge untreated wastewater and stormwater into nearby waterways.
Community members are reminded to follow all posted signage and safety measures issued by their local public health departments.
For additional information about beach closures, please visit the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s beach water quality website.
About the Merrimack Valley Public Health Alliance
MVPHA serves the communities of Amesbury, Georgetown, Groveland, Merrimac, Newbury, Newburyport, and Rowley. The Alliance is dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of communities across the Merrimack Valley region. Its mission is to provide accessible public health resources, foster collaboration among local municipalities, and promote awareness of essential health programs and initiatives.
It is funded through a state Public Health Excellence grant program that provides cities and towns with the resources they need to hire staff and procure goods and services to serve a whole region. MVPHA also maintains a Facebook page.
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