This story was originally produced by the Portsmouth Herald. NHPR is republishing it in partnership with the Granite State News Collaborative.
State officials are assessing whether New Hampshire’s beaches could be affected by a second sewer spill in two days sent millions of gallons of wastewater into the Merrimack River.
The latest spill occurred in Haverhill, Massachusetts, where a major sewer line failed during a torrential rainstorm the night of June 26. Massachusetts health officials closed several North Shore beaches on Monday, June 29, following the break.
Will NH increase testing at beaches in Hampton, Rye, Seabrook?
NH DES spokesperson Jim Martin said June 29 the agency would determine whether the incident requires changes to New Hampshire’s beach‑testing schedule. State beaches were last sampled on June 25 — the same day as an earlier accidental sewer discharge in Haverhill — and results showed no contamination. The New Hampshire coastline features beaches in Rye, North Hampton, Hampton and Seabrook.
