Beaches closed as pipe break sends wastewater into Merrimack River

Several Massachusetts beaches remain closed as of Monday morning, after a sewage line ruptured in Haverhill, spilling millions of gallons of wastewater. Some shellfishing beds are also closed in the area. The break happened near the city’s main pumping station Friday at around 9 p.m. after a storm moved through the area. During an investigation on Saturday, a second break was discovered.Haverhill’s Department of Public Works Director Bob Ward said about 8 to 10 million gallons of wastewater are flowing into the Merrimack River as a result of the breaks.”Eight or 10 million gallons a day, you know, there’s no way to put it; it’s just constant,” Ward said.Haverhill Mayor Melinda Barrett has advised that the public avoid contact with the Merrimack River until the breaks are repaired.Affected beachesAs of Monday morning, eight beaches across Ipswich, Newburyport and Salisbury were closed citing the sewage overflow event. Crane Beach was added to the list Monday afternoon, with the Crane Estate Trustees announcing that all swimming and water activities have been stopped due to the break.Throughout the beach season, the Department of Public Health provides water quality testing and maintains a database of beach statuses. NewsCenter 5’s system checks the database every morning and automatically updates this map, which shows whether a beach is closed and why. Locals and tourists at Plum Island Beach found out from NewsCenter 5 that they swam in water potentially contaminated by raw sewage.”Really disgusted, yeah, I’m not happy that I did that,” one person said. Shellfishing beds closedThe Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries has issued an emergency closure to shellfishing in Gloucester until further notice due to an ongoing sanitary sewer discharge in Haverhill. As of Monday, shellfishing is prohibited at Coffins Beach, Annisquam River/Gloucester Harbor, Outer North Gloucester, Good Harbor Beach and Eastern Point. Officials advise the public to avoid harvesting shellfish from these areas until the closure is lifted.Repair workIn a statement published Monday morning, Haverhill Mayor Melinda Barrett said contractors are working to mobilize an emergency bypass and 2,000 feet of bypass pipe are already on site. Work is ongoing around the clock, she said. A temporary pipeline will be built to connect the South Mill Street Pump Station to the Haverhill Wastewater Treatment Plant. The effort will include clearing a path for the pipeline and constructing it across a brook that intercepts the route. “The City continues to coordinate closely with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and other regulatory partners throughout the response,” Barrett wrote.

ESSEX COUNTY, Mass. —

Several Massachusetts beaches remain closed as of Monday morning, after a sewage line ruptured in Haverhill, spilling millions of gallons of wastewater.

Some shellfishing beds are also closed in the area.

The break happened near the city’s main pumping station Friday at around 9 p.m. after a storm moved through the area. During an investigation on Saturday, a second break was discovered.

Haverhill’s Department of Public Works Director Bob Ward said about 8 to 10 million gallons of wastewater are flowing into the Merrimack River as a result of the breaks.

“Eight or 10 million gallons a day, you know, there’s no way to put it; it’s just constant,” Ward said.

Haverhill Mayor Melinda Barrett has advised that the public avoid contact with the Merrimack River until the breaks are repaired.

Affected beaches

As of Monday morning, eight beaches across Ipswich, Newburyport and Salisbury were closed citing the sewage overflow event.

Crane Beach was added to the list Monday afternoon, with the Crane Estate Trustees announcing that all swimming and water activities have been stopped due to the break.

Throughout the beach season, the Department of Public Health provides water quality testing and maintains a database of beach statuses. NewsCenter 5’s system checks the database every morning and automatically updates this map, which shows whether a beach is closed and why.

Locals and tourists at Plum Island Beach found out from NewsCenter 5 that they swam in water potentially contaminated by raw sewage.

“Really disgusted, yeah, I’m not happy that I did that,” one person said.

Shellfishing beds closed

The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries has issued an emergency closure to shellfishing in Gloucester until further notice due to an ongoing sanitary sewer discharge in Haverhill.

As of Monday, shellfishing is prohibited at Coffins Beach, Annisquam River/Gloucester Harbor, Outer North Gloucester, Good Harbor Beach and Eastern Point.

Officials advise the public to avoid harvesting shellfish from these areas until the closure is lifted.

Repair work

In a statement published Monday morning, Haverhill Mayor Melinda Barrett said contractors are working to mobilize an emergency bypass and 2,000 feet of bypass pipe are already on site. Work is ongoing around the clock, she said.

A temporary pipeline will be built to connect the South Mill Street Pump Station to the Haverhill Wastewater Treatment Plant. The effort will include clearing a path for the pipeline and constructing it across a brook that intercepts the route.

“The City continues to coordinate closely with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and other regulatory partners throughout the response,” Barrett wrote.