UPDATE: 7.2.2026: IPSWICH BEACHES OPEN; NEWBURYPORT/PLUM ISLAND/NEWBURY CLOSED
REGIONAL – A group of swimmers from central Massachusetts had planned to swim in the Atlantic Ocean last weekend when they were told on arrival in Plum Island that they would get sick if they ingested any of the water, heavily polluted with sewage.
“Is there any beach within 30 minutes we might try?” asked the frustrated driver. He was directed to Hampton Beach in New Hampshire.
This is not a rare occurrence for the beaches along the Merrimack River. But this time the heavy pollution that resulted in Plum Island beaches being closed wasn’t caused by an overloaded sewage treatment plant after a heavy rain storm. It was the result of an accident by a contractor that released 60,000 gallons of sewage into the river.
The result was the same. The Plum Island beaches were closed until Monday to let the sewage pass.
According to the Newburyport Health Department, “The city of Haverhill began alerting nearby communities and residents along the river that a contractor during the heavy downpours that impacted the region, Haverhill discovered a break in a 42-inch sewer main near its main pumping station. As crews investigated the damage today, a second break was identified, confirming an ongoing discharge of untreated wastewater to the Merrimack River.”
The health department closed the Plum Island beaches for 48 hours.
Human or pet contact with contaminated water can result in nausea and vomiting, respiratory symptoms, eye irritation and earaches, the health department said.
A persistent problem has been Combined Sewage Overflow (CSOs), which occur when heavy rain overwhelms sewage treatment plants upriver.
