Home / Environment / Wastewater Spill Closes Plum Island Beaches
Wastewater Spill Closes Plum Island Beaches
26 Jun
Summary
- Plum Island beaches are closed due to a 60,000-gallon wastewater discharge.
- A contractor accidentally released sewage into the Merrimack River on Thursday.
- Residents are warned to avoid river contact for 48 hours after the incident.
Plum Island beaches in Newburyport, Massachusetts, have been closed after an accidental discharge of approximately 60,000 gallons of wastewater into the Merrimack River on Thursday. The city of Haverhill issued a warning to nearby communities and residents along the river.
A contractor performing sewer separation work reportedly discharged the wastewater into the storm drainage system on Garden Street over a four-hour period. As a precautionary measure, individuals in Haverhill and downstream communities are advised to avoid contact with the river water for 48 hours following the incident.
The Newburyport Health Department has closed all public access points to Plum Island Beach. This closure is anticipated to remain in effect through at least Monday, pending the results of water quality tests. Contact with unsafe water can lead to various health issues including nausea, vomiting, respiratory symptoms, eye irritation, and earaches.
