Press Release
The Town of Amherst has issued a Public Health Warning
June 15, 2023 10:30am
Unchlorinated treated sewage was released from the Amherst Waste Water Treatment Plant on June 15, 2023 starting at 8:45am due to partial Wastewater Treatment Plant shut down for an emergency repair. The unchlorinated treated sewage was released into the Connecticut River at the treatment plant outfall. See attached map. Periodic releases of unchlorinated treated sewage will occur throughout the day as the repairs at the plant are conducted. Additional warnings will be issued every eight hours until the work at the plant is complete and discharges of unchlorinated sewage have ceased. We estimate that approximately 75,000 gals of unchlorinated treated sanitary sewage has discharged as of the issuance of this warning.
The discharge consists of treated sewage and waste that has not been chlorinated prior to release. Because Amherst is required to chlorinate all discharge prior to release at this time of year, this is considered partially treated wastewater. The Town recommends that the public avoid contact with the affected water body for at least 48 hours after the discharge ceases due to increased health risks from bacteria and other pollutants.
See the Town website at www.amherstma.gov for further information on whether specific resource areas, such as bathing beaches, are affected.
Time of issue: June 15, 2023 10:30am
Issued by: Guilford Mooring, Superintendent Public Works Jennifer Brown, Health Director