Sewer Rupture Keeps North Shore Beaches Closed As Intense Heat Wave Builds For July 4 Week

NEWBURYPORT, MA — Major destination beaches remained closed to swimming across the North Shore on Wednesday as temperatures threatened 100 degrees ahead of the July 4 holiday weekend.

Frustration mounted this week after the sewer rupture in Haverhill following heavy rains on Friday led to millions of gallons of untreated wastewater flowing into the Merrimack River. That forced the closure of beaches at Plum Island in Newburyport, Crane Beach and all other beaches in Ipswich and the popular beaches in Salisbury.

As Gov. Maura Healey said that the state has launched a "coordinated, whole-of-government response to the sanitary sewer overflow," city and town leaders across coastal communities were irate at the potential that the beaches will not be open for the tourist-critical Fourth of July weekend.

• 41 MA Beaches Closed As Sewer Rupture Shuts Down Popular North Shore Spots Ahead Of Extreme Heat Wave

"This situation is deeply concerning and completely unacceptable," said Newburyport Mayor Scott Reardon. "We are facing what could become both a public health emergency and an economic hardship for many of our local businesses that depend on visitors during one of the busiest weeks of the year."

The closures were among 41 beaches closed across the state on Wednesday morning because of high bacteria levels — typically caused by fecal matter in the water from stormwater runoff and untreated sewage leaks — as record temperatures enveloped the region.

• Popular North Shore Beaches Closed After Millions Of Gallons Of Wastewater Discharge

The National Weather Service issued an Extreme Heat Warning for most of the state starting Wednesday morning and extending through Saturday.

High temperatures were forecast for the upper 90s on Wednesday before record temperatures of up to 102 degrees on both Thursday and Friday.

If that happens, it will be only the fourth time in recorded history — and the first time in more than 80 years — that the temperature has hit 100 degrees in Boston on consecutive days.

"Feels-like temperatures" could be as high as 115 degrees on Thursday and Friday.

• 'Extreme' Heat Will Feel Like 110+ Degrees, Bring Severe Storm Risk

"We know these closures come at a particularly difficult time as families look to the water to cool off during this period of extreme heat," Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll said. "Our teams are working to help stop the overflow, monitor water quality, and safely reopen impacted beaches and shellfish areas as soon as testing shows conditions are safe."

The bacteria used as indicator organisms to test the waters at beaches are Enterococci and E. coli. Marine beaches are tested for the presence of Enterococci. Freshwater beaches are tested either for the presence of E. coli or Enterococci. Enteric bacteria are indicator organisms found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals and humans, often associated with fecal contamination.

An elevated presence of these organisms indicates the water may not be safe for human or animal consumption or contact, and may cause symptoms ranging from gastrointestinal pain to eye and ear discomfort to flu-like symptoms.

Most of these symptoms are minor, but occasionally a more serious illness may occur. Children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of developing serious symptoms.

Some beach areas may remain open for recreational activities, though any contact with the water is strongly discouraged.

"The most important objective right now is stopping the discharge and restoring normal operations as quickly as possible," Reardon said. "I know many residents are frustrated and concerned. Please know that your city is fully engaged, working with every available state and regional partner, and will continue to push for accountability, transparency, and the swift resolution this situation demands."

Massachusetts beaches closed as of 10 a.m. on Wednesday include:

• Ashby Damon Pond
• Bourne Patuisset Pond
• Brewster Cliff Pond at DYS
• Brewster Cliff Pond at Main
• Brewster Flax Pond
• Dartmouth Hidden Bay
• Dartmouth Moses Smith Creek
• Essex Clammer's Beach
• Essex Front Beach
• Freetown Town Beach
• Ipswich Clark Beach
• Ipswich Crane Beach
• Ipswich Little Neck Beach
• Ipswich Pavilion Beach
• Ipswich Sandy Point Beach North
• Ipswich Sandy Point Beach South
• Ipswich Steep Hill
• Manchester Magnolia East
• Nantucket Sesachacha
• Newbury Plum Island
• Newburyport Plum Island 55th Street
• Newburyport Plum Island End 1
• Newburyport Plum Island End 2
• Newburyport Plum Island Point
• Newton Crystal Lake
• North Andover Frye Pond Beach
• Pembroke Little Sandy
• Rochester SPENA Beach
• Salem Children's Island Back
• Salem Children's Island Wally
• Salisbury Main DCR Beach
• Salisbury Broadway Street Beach Center
• Saugus Peckham Pond
• Templeton Beamans Pond Campground
• Templetown Beamans Pond Day
• Wareham Briarwood
• Wareham Standish Shores
• Wareham Lake Shores
• Winchester Shannon Beach
• Winthrop Donovan's Beach
• Winthrop Pico Beach