How has MassDEP responded to the incident?
MassDEP is coordinating with the City of Haverhill to monitor the situation and to provide technical assistance as needed. As of July 1, Haverhill was no longer discharging untreated wastewater into the Merrimack River, and had installed a temporary bypass pumping system. MassDEP wastewater inspectors are on site to provide support as needed. MassDEP and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are in communication with Haverhill on the root cause analysis that will seek to identify causes and/or contributing factors to the force main breaks and inform next steps.
Is the drinking water in Haverhill and other downstream communities affected?
Haverhill’s drinking water remains safe for all residents and businesses. The city's drinking water system is separate from the wastewater system and has not been affected.
There are no municipalities downstream of Haverhill that withdraw drinking water from the Merrimack River. Groveland, Merrimac, Newbury, Salisbury, and West Newbury obtain their drinking water from groundwater sources, which are not impacted by the sewer main break.
Amesbury and Newburyport withdraw drinking water from a combination of groundwater sources and surface water sources which are treated with filtration and disinfection.
Is there a plan to make sure this sort of incident does not happen again?
Once the force main repairs are complete, MassDEP will require the City to conduct an engineering analysis to identify the cause of the force main break. The City has retained engineering/design firms who are conducting reviews of as-built drawings and other relevant documents related to the force main, and will use CCTV and other technologies to further evaluate the main and appropriate repair/replacement options.
What is being done to address waste or debris deposited onto shorelines?
There have not been solids impacting upstream coastal areas to date. While the break in Haverhill has had downstream impacts, screening systems at the discharge point have been effective at capturing larger solids and debris before they enter the river.
The bar racks at the pump station are operational and are capturing floatables and solids in the wastewater. The discharge is liquid, which does not accumulate on the shoreline and will be washed out to the ocean. MassDEP will collaborate with partners on any reports of observed waste for response.
Further, the Office of Coastal Zone Management has updated its MyCoast online portal and app to allow residents to report evidence of possible impacts to the state. This information will be tracked to monitor and address impacts.
How do I report debris washing up in my area?
Go to MyCoast.org/MA or download the MyCoast app. Sign up, and then tap “Add Report” and then “Environmental Impact Event” to add photos and information.
What is the status of the bypass system?
Prior to the July 4th holiday, the City announced that the two bypass lines are now operational and is working to install the second as quickly as possible. For more updates on the status of the bypass system, please visit the City of Haverhill's website.
Once the bypass system is complete, will any untreated sewage continue to be discharged into the Merrimack River?
No, the bypass systems are redirecting untreated sewage to the wastewater treatment plant for full treatment.
How is this event different from a combined sewer overflow (CSO) event?
Combined sewer overflow (CSO) and sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) events can occur in older wastewater systems that were designed to carry both sewage and stormwater in the same pipe. In wastewater management, a CSO (Combined Sewer Overflow) refers to a permitted release of combined stormwater and raw sewage. An SSO (Sanitary Sewer Overflow) is an unintentional spill of raw sewage. After heavy rainfall, if sewage and stormwater overload the system, they may discharge into rivers, lakes, and coastal areas. Without this infrastructure, the sewage and stormwater could back up into homes, businesses, and public streets.
The current discharge was caused by two breaks in the sewer force main following a heavy rainstorm and is not part of the sewer system’s design.
More information on CSOs and SSOs can be found on MassDEP’s website.
Was the break caused by the CSO/SSO event resulting from the heavy rainfall on the same day?
The force main breaks were identified during/following a torrential rain event on the evening of Friday, June 26. More investigation is needed to fully evaluate cause(s) and contributing factors. The City has retained engineering/design expertise to conduct that evaluation.
Is there state funding available to support Haverhill’s corrective actions?
The State Revolving Fund (SRF), which provides affordable, low-interest loans to cities and towns to improve drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, may be able to support the City’s future repair work. MassDEP and the Clean Water Trust will work closely with the City as it evaluates its permanent corrective actions to explore all avenues for financial assistance.
The cost of the permanent corrective actions will be identified following the City’s full engineering analysis.
Where should the public go for updates about this situation?
Updates are being provided on the City of Haverhill website.
When will we know if swimming can restart?
Beaches reopened to swimming ahead of the July 4th holiday after water quality testing confirmed they were safe for swimming. Swimming advisories and openings have now returned to the state’s normal water quality monitoring process. Refer DPH’s interactive beach water quality dashboard and local boards of health on openings.
Which shellfish areas are closed to harvest?
The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) issued an emergency shellfish closure for shellfish growing areas N1—N14 in Gloucester, Newburyport, Essex, Ipswich, Newbury, Rockport, Rowley, and Salisbury. Shellfish areas will remain closed until further notice. See DMF’s Emergency Shellfish Closures and Shellfish Classification Areas.
How long will shellfish areas be closed? When are they expected to reopen?
Closures will remain in place until conditions improve, and shellfish and water quality tests demonstrate the areas meet national standards for public health. While the Haverhill sewage discharge has stopped, some shellfishing areas are now impacted by the recent rainfall, which can trigger more routine closures. Stormwater runoff during rainfall carries pollution from roads, parking lots, and buildings into waterways untreated which can contaminate shellfish and make them unsafe to eat.
Are shellfish at restaurants and markets safe to eat?
Yes, shellfish currently available at restaurants and markets in Massachusetts are not harvested from the impacted areas. Consumers can continue to purchase and enjoy shellfish with confidence.
Whether steamed or raw, clams or oysters, it's DMF's mission to ensure all shellfish are safe for you to eat. We accomplish this through rigorous public health protection and management of shellfish resources.
Can you eat saltwater fish from the Merrimack River?
Yes. According to DPH, migratory saltwater fish in the Merrimack River that may have come in contact with sewage are not likely to accumulate bacterial contamination in their tissue if handled and cleaned appropriately and cooked to the proper temperatures that kill bacteria.
| Date published: | June 30, 2026 |
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| Last updated: | July 9, 2026 |