Boston well being officers have issued a warning after a sewage discharge within the harbor early Sunday morning, saying there’s a “potential public health risk” following the mixed sewer overflow.
The sewage discharge was reported on the Boston Water and Sewer Commission Outflow BOS 003 – positioned within the Inner Harbor at Porter Street in East Boston.
The untreated overflow began at 12:35 a.m., “creating a potential public health risk,” the Boston Public Health Commission stated in an announcement.
“This overflow ended at 2:40 a.m. and this advisory will expire 48 hours after the overflow has ended,” BPHC stated. “This event may potentially affect waters in Boston Inner Harbor.”
“The public is advised to avoid contact with affected water bodies for at least 48 hours after a sewage discharge or overflow, during rainstorms, and for 48 hours after rainstorms end, due to increased health risks from bacteria or other pollutants associated with urban stormwater runoff and discharges of untreated or partially treated wastewater,” the fee added.
A mixed sewer overflow happens when a big storm overwhelms the mixed sewerage system, inflicting rainwater to combine with wastewater and discharge to a close-by water physique. This prevents sewage backups into houses and companies.
State rules require native public well being departments to alert the general public when these discharges could create a danger to public well being, together with when a discharge lasts for greater than two hours.
The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority reported a sewage discharge early Sunday morning on the Somerville Marginal facility, positioned on the Mystic River. The doubtlessly affected areas have been Everett, Somerville, and the Lower Mystic River.
“Discharge consists of partially treated sewage and waste,” MWRA’s alert reads. “Required public well being warning: ‘Avoid contact with these water bodies for 48 hours after the discharge or overflow ceases due to increased health risks from bacteria and other pollutants.’ “
Source: www.bostonherald.com”