‘Increased health risks’: Public health warning issued related to sewage discharge in Boston

Boston public health officials are advising residents to avoid affected water bodies in parts of the city for 48 hours due to increased health risks from bacteria and other pollutants after a recent sewage discharge.

The public health warning was issued Sunday regarding untreated overflows in the Fort Point Channel, at Jeffries Point, and near the Charles River.

The latest untreated overflow in these areas ended at at 11:11pm Saturday, however the public is advised to avoid affected water bodies for 48 hours, officials said in a statement on Sunday.

“This event impacts the waters of the Lower Inner Harbor and East Boston,” the public health warning stated, adding that the event also impacts the waters of the Upper Inner Harbor Fort Point Channel.

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.

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.

For more information and updates about this discharge, check the Boston Water and Sewer Commission website and the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority website.

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.

More information about CSOs and public health is available at the City of Boston website.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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