Boston health officials have issued a warning after a sewage discharge in the harbor early Sunday morning, saying there’s a “potential public health risk” following the combined sewer overflow.
The sewage discharge was reported at the Boston Water and Sewer Commission Outflow BOS 003 – located in the Inner Harbor at Porter Street in East Boston.
The untreated overflow started at 12:35 a.m., “creating a potential public health risk,” the Boston Public Health Commission said in a statement.
“This overflow ended at 2:40 a.m. and this advisory will expire 48 hours after the overflow has ended,” BPHC said. “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 commission added.
A combined sewer overflow occurs when a large storm overwhelms the combined sewerage system, causing rainwater to mix with wastewater and discharge to a nearby water body. This prevents sewage backups into homes and businesses.
State regulations require local public health departments to alert the public when these discharges may create a risk to public health, including when a discharge lasts for more than two hours.
The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority reported a sewage discharge early Sunday morning at the Somerville Marginal facility, located on the Mystic River. The potentially affected areas were Everett, Somerville, and the Lower Mystic River.
“Discharge consists of partially treated sewage and waste,” MWRA’s alert reads. “Required public health 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.’ “
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