@wbztv: Plum Island beaches in Newburyport, Massachusetts remain closed to swimmers as millions of gallons of raw sewage are being pumped into the Merrimack River in nearby Haverhill each day. Plum Island was set to reopen for swimming on Saturday after a 48-hour precautionary closure. Instead, crews in Haverhill found two breaks in a 42-inch sewer line near its pumping station. As crews work to repair the sewer line, health officials warn beachgoers not to go in the water, that making contact with unsafe water can result in nausea and vomiting, respiratory symptoms, eye irritation and earaches. #massachusetts #beach #water #health #swim
Haverhill isn’t the only problem… “The Merrimack River Watershed Council, ( https://merrimack.org/cso/ ) says, “On average 550-million gallons of sewage are dumped into the Merrimack River each year.” “CSOs contain untreated or partially treated human and industrial waste, toxic materials, and debris and stormwater, which may include harmful bacteria and pollution. They are a priority water pollution concern for the nearly 860 municipalities across the U.S. that have combined sewer systems.” “On the mainstem Merrimack River: Manchester and Nashua in New Hampshire, and Lowell, the Greater Lawrence Sanitary District (GLSD), and Haverhill in Massachusetts. Fitchburg, MA also discharges into the Nashua River, a tributary of the Merrimack.”
2026-06-30 01:12:44
27
HeidzemH :
Pretty sure Salisbury and Hampton Beach are closed for swimming too 😢
2026-06-30 04:48:24
18
NotSure :
Does anybody else think this is perfect timing Fourth of July weekend coming up finally a beautiful sunny holiday and now this tell me things are not on purpose
2026-06-29 20:40:04
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brook3s.hall9 :
I’ve seen 20 people swimming in it when I went to Salisbury beach and plum island
2026-06-30 11:39:42
27
Wendycard❌ :
We have incompetent leadership here in Haverhill. This has been going on for years.
2026-06-29 20:09:35
138
winterclaudia :
I never go into the water in MA… everybody knows not to do that. I used to live near Nahant beach and the smell was soooo bad DAILY, all year round
2026-07-01 11:33:11
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kylebessette50 :
not the only town doing it
2026-06-29 18:36:02
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Chuck :
what the actual fck ???
2026-06-30 00:36:06
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mariomarzhp :
But the fact this happen is not acceptable…. They can only seriously handle 3 million but the over capacity is 8 million…. This is not an over night problem that will cost millions in losses to businesses
2026-06-30 14:44:25
7
foreignswerving101 :
How convenient with this heatwave
2026-06-29 19:59:31
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Johanna :
I’m so mad this ruined my Salisbury plans 😭
2026-06-29 19:18:41
7
n :
3ard most polluted river in Massachusetts
2026-06-29 18:28:34
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¥Dondochakka¥ :
Absolutely believe this was some what intentional. Of course this happens right before a strong heat way 😬
2026-06-30 11:30:00
11
liana marie 🤍 :
me reading the comments and living in haverhill 🧍♀️
2026-06-29 23:44:38
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olga matthew5 :
Who and what is responsible for this?
2026-06-30 06:21:37
1
Lanez94 :
What’s taking them so long to fix the problem? It’s gonna take months maybe years like construction always does in Massachusetts.
2026-06-30 14:14:52
3
Ruffledfeathers :
Maura Healy.
2026-06-30 01:31:17
2
pup2 AFF Family :
So glad I have a pool,
2026-06-30 19:03:17
1
annasowinski847 :
It's so beautiful up there...how could this happen?!?
2026-06-30 03:01:58
0
Kelsey Lynne :
It’s supposed to be in the 90’s later this week omg the smell 😭😭😭
2026-06-30 17:05:46
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Big_PapiBandz :
One of my ex favorite spots now 😅
2026-06-30 18:40:50
3
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