Sewage Leak Closes Beaches & Shellfishing

July 6, 2020

A sewage spill at a pump station has caused the closure of some beaches and a temporary ban on shellfishing in Onset Bay, Massachusetts.

A sewage spill at the pump station at the end of the Stonebridge in Onset has caused the closure of some beaches and a temporary ban on shellfishing in Onset Bay, Massachusetts.

After around 2:30 p.m. on Jul. 5, Water Pollution Control Facility crews were working to unclog the pumps and the level in the wet well rose and needed to be released, according to the Wareham Week. 

The leak was not related to the pipe replacement on the bridge in 2011, added Wareham Week.

The crews turned on both pumps instead of just one, and between one and five thousand gallons of sewage overflowed into the bay. This was compounded by the tide, which is currently coming in and corralling the waste close to shore. 

All beaches within Onset Bay have been closed. Additionally, shellfishing is temporarily banned within Onset Harbor, from Sias Point to Codman’s Point and all points North within Onset Harbor.

The WPCF is taking samples of the water to test for fecal chloroform and the tests will be processed within 24 hours. The determination of when shellfishing can resume is up to the State Department of Marine Fisheries.

A similar situation occurred in 2014, when beaches in and around Onset Harbor were closed after sewage spilled into the bay, according to Wareham Harbormaster Garry Buckminster.

The Buzzard Bay Coalition’s new Onset Bay Center on Onset Beach recently kicked off its first full year of summer programming for youth, as well as for adults and families, in June.

Read related content about about sewage spills and pump stations: 

About the Author

Cristina Tuser

Sponsored Recommendations

Energy Efficient System Design for WWTPs

Feb. 7, 2024
System splitting with adaptive control reduces electrical, maintenance, and initial investment costs.

Blower Isentropic Efficiency Explained

Feb. 7, 2024
Learn more about isentropic efficiency and specific performance as they relate to blowers.

How to Build a Better Blower Station

Feb. 7, 2024
Designing a blower aeration system for a wastewater treatment plant has many moving pieces. Each contributes to the overall health and efficiency of the system and the impact ...

Understanding Current Blower Technology & Isentropic Efficiency in Blowers

Feb. 7, 2024
Blowers are a critical resource for wastewater treatment plants, which makes choosing the best blower vital for plant operational success. No plant is stagnant, so a one size ...