All beaches are now open for swimming in Ipswich as of 5 p.m., Friday, July 13.
The Ipswich Board of Health opened the beaches after a water-quality test showed the water to be safe for swimming, according to Colleen Ferman, Ipswich health agent.
Pavilion Beach, Crane Beach, Steep Hill Beach, Little Neck Beach and Clark Beach all reopened in time for a weekend weather forecast that calls for temperatures near or above 90 degrees with high humidity.
The Ipswich Board of Health closed the beaches on Thursday, July 12, as a precautionary measure after maintenance at the town’s sewage treatment plant discharged untreated sewage into the water.
“If there is a potential for any type of bacteria or contamination in the water we need to close the beaches and test and we can reopen when tests show the water is safe for swimming,” said Ferman.
The legal limit for swimming is 104 enterococci colonies per 100 milliliters. The Ipswich beaches tested at less than 10 colonies per 100 milliliters.
“All five beaches were extremely low,” said Ferman.
Ferman said she had not received word on whether or not the clam beds that were closed as a result of the discharge had also reopened.
Ipswich Clam Constable Scott LaPreste was unavailable for comment.
Read more in “The House on Ipswich Marsh,” and “Beach Wars.” See UPNE and Strawberry Hill tabs at the top of this page.
Read more: Ipswich beaches safe for swimming again – Ipswich, MA – Ipswich Chronicle http://www.wickedlocal.com/ipswich/news/x1425378460/Ipswich-beaches-safe-for-swimming-again#ixzz20aw7HGwP
