A 42-inch break ruptured in a sewer force in Haverhill, Massachusetts, during a Friday evening thunderstorm, the city’s mayor announced. The break happened near the city’s main pumping station Friday at around 9 p.m. after a storm moved through the area. “This force main transports wastewater from the main pumping station to the wastewater treatment plant. During the storm, exceptionally heavy rainfall caused wastewater flows to increase rapidly, placing significantly greater demand on this critical pipeline,” Haverhill mayor Melinda Barrett said. During an investigation on Saturday, a second break was discovered. ‘The discovery of the second break indicates that the damaged area is larger than originally believed. It does not mean the entire pipeline has failed, but it does require more extensive repair. Before repairs can begin, crews must fully evaluate the damaged section to ensure all affected areas are repaired before the force main is returned to service,” Barrett said.Haverhill’s sewer system is fully operational and drinking water has not been affected by the breaks. Barrett advised that the public avoid contact with the Merrimack River until repairs to the breaks have been completed. Residents do not need to take any action regarding their homes or businesses and can continue using their water and sewer services as normal, Barrett said.Plum Island Beach has been closed to swimmers as a result of the sewer overflow, the city of Newburyport Director of Public Health, Kelechi Obika announced. The beach will be closed to swimming until further notice.NewsCenter 5 will continue to provide updates as we learn more information.
HAVERHILL, Mass. —
A 42-inch break ruptured in a sewer force in Haverhill, Massachusetts, during a Friday evening thunderstorm, the city’s mayor announced.
The break happened near the city’s main pumping station Friday at around 9 p.m. after a storm moved through the area.
“This force main transports wastewater from the main pumping station to the wastewater treatment plant. During the storm, exceptionally heavy rainfall caused wastewater flows to increase rapidly, placing significantly greater demand on this critical pipeline,” Haverhill mayor Melinda Barrett said.
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During an investigation on Saturday, a second break was discovered.
‘The discovery of the second break indicates that the damaged area is larger than originally believed. It does not mean the entire pipeline has failed, but it does require more extensive repair. Before repairs can begin, crews must fully evaluate the damaged section to ensure all affected areas are repaired before the force main is returned to service,” Barrett said.
Haverhill’s sewer system is fully operational and drinking water has not been affected by the breaks.
Barrett advised that the public avoid contact with the Merrimack River until repairs to the breaks have been completed.
Residents do not need to take any action regarding their homes or businesses and can continue using their water and sewer services as normal, Barrett said.
Plum Island Beach has been closed to swimmers as a result of the sewer overflow, the city of Newburyport Director of Public Health, Kelechi Obika announced.
The beach will be closed to swimming until further notice.
NewsCenter 5 will continue to provide updates as we learn more information.