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Newburyport Health Department to Install New CSO Notification Signage

Posted on: March 13, 2023 - 5:02pm
Merrimack River Picture

The Newburyport Health Department will be installing signs that will assist in alerting residents to warnings about combined sewage overflows.

Effective July 6, 2022, the Newburyport Board of Health began issuing Public Health Warnings for combined sewage overflows (CSOs) that occur within the Merrimack River pursuant to 314 CMR 16.09.

A Combined Sewer Overflow system collects rainwater runoff domestic sewage, and industrial wastewater. Under normal conditions, it transports all wastewater to the sewage treatment plant for treatment which is then discharged to a waterbody. When the volume exceeds the capacity following heavy rainfall or snowmelt, untreated sewage and other pollutants can discharge into local bodies of water.

State regulations require local public health departments to provide notice to the public when these discharges may create a risk to public health, including when a discharge lasts for more than two hours. These state regulations require signage at public access points to the water, and permanent signs are being installed in order to provide information more quickly.

A QR code is displayed on each sign that will link residents directly to the City of Newburyport website for real-time information. The City of Newburyport Health Department will continue to post CSO alerts on the City website as necessary and send out alert notifications to subscribers at the conclusion of CSO events.

CSO activation signage will be posted at five locations listed below. These locations have been designated by the State:

  • Moseley Woods: post leading to trail
  • Cashman Park: three postings, one at each boat ramp entrance and one near the dock area
  • Near Tuscan Grill: boat ramp area
  • Joppa Flat: Boat ramp area
  • Plum Island Beach: three postings, one near the public restrooms and one at the Old Coast Guard shack leading to the beach

If residents have any questions about CSOs or this notification system, they can contact the Health Department at 978-465-4410.