Heavy rain overnight caused another sewage overflow at the Lowell Wastewater Treatment Facility, prompting health departments in Andover and other down-river towns to issue warnings Friday morning to avoid contact with the Merrimack for 48 hours.

Overflows occur when stormwater runoff from heavy rainfall is too much for the sewage system to process.

The dump of untreated or partially-treated wastewater happened between 10:38 p.m. Thursday and 4:51 a.m. Friday. The discharges increase health risks from bacteria and other pollutants for people who come into contact with the water.

Share Your Thoughts!

Discover more from Andover News

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading