Unsafe bacteria levels are still being detected at several Merrimack River locations more than a week after a sewer main break in Haverhill, Massachusetts, caused raw sewage to leak into the water.Additionally, Tuesday’s rain may trigger a combined sewer overflow which would add more bacteria to the affected stretch of river, the Merrimack River Watershed Council warned. According to the council, tests conducted Saturday night showed unsafe bacteria levels at Ferry Park, Deer Island, the Route 1 Bridge in Newburyport, the riverside of Salisbury Beach and Plum Island Beach. The council estimates that up to 10 million gallons of raw sewage leaked into the river per day during the incident. Crews took five days to install a temporary fix for the sewer main break. The leak prompted the temporary closure of swimming at several popular beaches, including Crane Beach in Ipswich. Some New Hampshire beaches were also closed as a precaution, but state environmental officials have since lifted one advisory. Swimming is now allowed at North Hampton State Park in Hampton Beach.Check beachesThroughout 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.

HAVERHILL, Mass. —

Unsafe bacteria levels are still being detected at several Merrimack River locations more than a week after a sewer main break in Haverhill, Massachusetts, caused raw sewage to leak into the water.

Additionally, Tuesday’s rain may trigger a combined sewer overflow which would add more bacteria to the affected stretch of river, the Merrimack River Watershed Council warned.

According to the council, tests conducted Saturday night showed unsafe bacteria levels at Ferry Park, Deer Island, the Route 1 Bridge in Newburyport, the riverside of Salisbury Beach and Plum Island Beach.

The council estimates that up to 10 million gallons of raw sewage leaked into the river per day during the incident. Crews took five days to install a temporary fix for the sewer main break.

The leak prompted the temporary closure of swimming at several popular beaches, including Crane Beach in Ipswich.

Some New Hampshire beaches were also closed as a precaution, but state environmental officials have since lifted one advisory.

Swimming is now allowed at North Hampton State Park in Hampton Beach.

Check beaches

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.