Photo: Moment RF
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Boston Public Health Commission has issued a public health warning related to four recent incidents of sewage discharge, otherwise known as a combined sewer overflow (CSO), state officials announced Sunday.
A combined sewer overflow occurs when a large storm causes rainwater to mix with wastewater and discharge to a nearby water body.
Local public health departments are required by state regulations to let the public know when these discharges may create a risk to public health, including when a discharge lasts more than two hours.
According to BPHC, each of the four incidents created a potential public health risk and occurred at the following locations:
- Boston Water and Sewer Commission Outflow BOS065, located in the Fort Point Channel, experienced a discharge or overflow starting on Saturday, July 29 at 5:35 p.m. and ending at 8:50 p.m. on July 29. This impacts the waters of the Upper Inner Harbor Fort Point Channel.
- Boston Water and Sewer Commission Outflow BOS004, located at Jeffries Point, experienced a discharge or overflow starting on Saturday, July 29 at 5:50 p.m. and ending at 7:50 p.m. on July 29. This impacts the waters of the Lower Inner Harbor and East Boston.
- Massachusetts Water Resources Authority Outflow MWR023, located near the Charles River, experienced a discharge or overflow starting on Saturday, July 29 at 5:15 p.m. and ending at 10:03 p.m. on July 29. This event may impact the Charles River.
- Massachusetts Water Resources Authority Outflow MWR201, located near the Charles River, experienced a discharge or overflow starting on Saturday, July 29 at 6:32 p.m. and ending at 11:11 p.m. on July 29. This may impact the Charles River.
All four advisories will expire 48 hours after each individual overflow ended.
The public is advised to avoid contact with affected bodies of water 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.
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