Ipswich Public Health Department Reopens Beaches to Swimming Following Water Quality Testing Results

IPSWICH – All Ipswich beaches are reopened for swimming on Wednesday after two consecutive days of testing showed bacteria levels were below the state’s threshold for concern. 

A water main break in Haverhill last weekend led to an ongoing discharge of untreated wastewater into the Merrimack River. On Monday, the Town of Ipswich, as a precaution, proactively prohibited swimming at all beaches, including Pavilion, Crane, Steep Hill, Clark, and Little Neck, until testing showed the water was safe.

Biomarine collected samples at each beach on Monday, June 29, and Tuesday, June 30. All results showed bacteria levels well below the state limit of 104 colonies per 100ml of Enterococci. The Town followed the state Department of Public Health guidance requiring two consecutive passing test results before lifting the swimming ban.

“Bacteria can cause a number of illnesses, and it was important that we act cautiously,” Director of Public Health Colleen Fermon said. “Given the recent warm weather, we’re grateful to our residents and visitors for their patience these past few days, and we hope that everyone enjoys our beaches this holiday weekend.”  

Residents may also monitor statewide beach conditions through the state’s Interactive Beach Water Quality Dashboard: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/interactive-beach-water-quality-dashboard

While the ban on swimming has been lifted, shellfish beds N3-N8 remain closed under an emergency order by the state Division of Marine Fisheries.

The order bans all harvesting, digging, collecting, or possessing shellfish from the affected areas, except for sea scallops harvested for the adductor muscle only. Residents, harvesters, and commercial permit holders should avoid all shellfishing in affected zones until further notice.

“The Town is in continuous contact with the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF). We recognize the hardship this situation has placed on our local shellfishing industry, and we will continue advocating for DMF to reopen the beds as soon as it is safe to do so,” Town Manager Brendan Sweeney said. “We’ve been informed by the City of Haverhill that a temporary bypass line has now been installed and connected to their treatment plant. This progress is encouraging, and we’re hopeful that upcoming water quality testing will support a quick reopening of the shellfish beds.”

Maps and boundary descriptions for N3–N8 and all other shellfish areas are available at: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/shellfish-classification-areas.

For updates, please visit the Town of Ipswich’s website and Facebook page.

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