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Public Health Warnings

Effective July 6, 2022, the Newburyport Board of Health will issue Public Health Warnings for combined sewage overflows (CSOs) that occur within the Merrimack River pursuant to 314 CMR 16.09. All warnings issued will be posted here as well as at public access points to the water. IF WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED IT WILL BE POSTED BELOW 

CSO ALERT- 

CSO discharges consist, or likely consist, of untreated or partially treated sewage and waste. Public health officials recommend avoiding contact with water bodies during rainstorms and for 48 hours afterward, as there may be increased health risks due to bacteria or other pollutants associated with urban stormwater runoff or discharges of untreated or partially treated wastewater. 

CSO NOTIFICATIONS:  To view the CSO map which provides near real-time information (5-minute intervals) on CSO activation status, where they occur, how often and how long they occur. Click here:   AQUASIGHT 

During the summer bathing season, the Health Department also conducts weekly water quality tests at the City's beaches. For more information, please click here. 

For more information on beach water quality testing, please visit www.cityofnewburyport.com/beachtesting.

For more information on shellfish closures, please visit www.mass.gov/shellfish-sanitation-and-management.

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Additional Resource: Merrimack River Early Alert Tool - Developed as a Merrimack River Collaborative initiative to share water quality information across the Merrimack Valley Region. The Early Alert Tool is a multimodal resource for data sharing, predictive modeling, and real-time monitoring.

To learn more please visit: Merrimack River Early Alert Tool Now Online: Realtime Info on Water Quality and Safety

During the summer bathing season, the Health Department also conducts weekly water quality tests at the City's beaches. For more information, please click here.